Good morning! On Tuesday we read about Apostles Paul’s call for the believers in Colosse to devote themselves to prayer with an alert mind and thankful heart. Today, we will continue our reading in Colossians chapter four, but before we began I have a few questions for you? Have you ever been drawn into a conversation because of a person’s character? Have you ever noticed the beauty of someone beyond what they look like, just because of the way they spoke or carried themselves? If so, then you will understand the value of these two verses. Enjoy today’s devotion and your day.

Bible verse – Colossians 4:5-6 NLT

“⁵ Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

Reflection

Apostle Paul was a great mentor, discipler, encourager and more. He loved the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul. He was passionate and full of zeal when he spoke about Christ. He wanted nothing more than for others to understand, be saved and mature as Christians. As he called believers to be mindful he also challenged them to improve their character.

Sisters and brothers, the message to the believers at Colosse is the same for us today. Non-believers are around us everyday and so are others who believe, but are not fully committed (on the fence). As believers, the call is for us to live wisely and to make the most of every opportunity to not only say what we believe, but to live what we profess to believe in our actions and character.

We can easily profess and give into legalism as to why someone should not do something or participate in something, but in all honesty how much of it is Biblical versus man made conditions. Jesus was the perfect example of compassion and love. He could have been in the in-crowd just as Apostle Paul once was, but instead Christ came to set the captives free – free from bondage, brokenness, painful past, difficult current, religious traditions that weren’t Biblical, and fear of what is to come. He went out to the outcast, to the rejected, and those seeking. He did not come to condemn, John 3:16-17 says:

 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

Sisters and brothers, as believers our love, actions and words toward others should mirror Christ. As we speak to others, as we love others, as we seek to understand – not necessarily agree, and share Christ with others our prayer should be – Lord, let our words be gracious and attractive, give us discernment in speech so that we will have the right response for everyone.

Question to ponder

How will I live these verses out:

• in my home?
• at work, at school?
• in the church?
• in the community?
• when I vote?
• in the world?

Prayer

Father God, thank you! Amen!

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