1I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching. 3For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn away to fables. 5But you be sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry.
6For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. 8From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.
9Be diligent to come to me soon, 10for Demas left me, having loved this present world, and went to Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12But I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13Bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. 14Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15Beware of him, for he greatly opposed our words.
16At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Be Gracious - Seasoned with Salt
Man With Coffee at a Table
The Book of Colossians is considered one of Paul’s later prison epistles. He wrote it while he was imprisoned in Rome. Near the end of chapter 4, he reminds his readers to pray for him as he is in chains. Paul consistently looked for opportunities to share the gospel. He urges the church in Colossae to be diligent in prayer and continually thankful and grateful. Paul knew the key to joy: thanksgiving. Like Paul, we should pray for open doors to share Jesus with others. Paul prayed for such opportunities, and so should we. He tells the church to exercise wisdom in dealing with unbelievers. That’s a word to us as well that we should be bold, but use our heads as we work and live among unbelievers. We should never forget that they are watching. This should not chill our testimony, but we should be careful not to confront unbelievers purposely.
Recently, I visited a friend in the hospital. He is an atheist and is hostile to the things of God. I didn’t go in quoting scripture to him or telling him that he was bound for hell. Instead, I took several hours out of my day to drive to the town where he is hospitalized, and to let him know that I loved him. After we had spoken for a while, he told me, “You’re the only person who has come to visit me.” (other than his wife). Whenever we love others, it always costs us time, talent, and treasure. Those were two hours out of my day that I’ll never get back, but that is precisely what Paul is saying. He tells us, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Let God guide your conversations. Don’t force the gospel on others. The whole time I was with my friend, I was praying that God would use my visit for His glory and that my friend’s heart would be softened.
As you get into conversations with people, always pray that if the opportunity presents itself, you will make the gospel of Jesus just as plain and straightforward as you can. Resolve to bring out the best in others as you converse with them. Walk softly and never carry a big stick. Love your neighbor as you love yourself, and always be ready in season and out of season to share the good news of Jesus! (2 Timothy 4:2)