1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, 3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, 4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord. 8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.
10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received instructions, “if he comes to you, receive him”), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for God’s Kingdom who are of the circumcision, men who have been a comfort to me.
12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13For I testify about him that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis. 14Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, with Nymphas and the assembly that is in his house. 16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans, and that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17Tell Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.”
18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Be Gracious - Seasoned with Salt
Be Gracious – Seasoned with Salt
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
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)