The Test of New Life
This afternoon I spent i
n Denver at the Capitol. My scheduled meeting with a State Senator was delayed because of final action on the sate budget bill. This evening my sister Nathalee, who came in from Grand Junction, and I went to dinner with my mother in recognition of her 91st birthday. She is having more difficulty with memory, judgment, hearing and eye sight, but outside of that, is doing fairly well. 🙂 Perhaps typical for 91. (we attempted a “selfie” with mom after dinner)
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” Colossians 4:6 HCSB
Paul’s letter to the Colossians and the Ephesians have some similarities. To both he reminds and challenges them about the new life they have in Christ. Paul says we have an “old self that is to be viewed as dead and w are to “put on” a new self. One that is created by Christ, so we can live a “Christ-centered” life opposed to a life that lives by a fallen human nature.
Paul gives a detailed description of the characteristics of the new life. “…put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah…control your hearts…” (Colossians 3:12-15 HCSB)
As Paul draws his letter to a close he urges what I call the most challenging test of the new life. That is because any issue of speech or the tongue is just that. It is challenging and it is a test. We see our speech is important because it reveals our heart.
Jesus put it simply, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.“ (Luke 6:45 NIV) If there is unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment, it will be reflected in our speech. If we have genuine concern for people, it will be reflected in our speech. If we have respect for those with whom we disagree, it will be reflected in our speech.
I listened today to the speech of Senate President Bill Cademan, as he made closing remarks on the new state budget. I believed they were very gracious and straightforward. He recognized the difficulty of the process, the challenge and disappointment when state priorities are not reflected in final decisions, but in the end having a budget that is acceptable and the best for the citizens of Colorado.
Paul says our words are to be full of grace. The kindness of Christ, is to be reflected in our words. This doesn’t mean “pollyannish” but reasonable. I then notice Paul says, “season with salt” not “salty.” They are gain a hearing, not be offensive and create rejection. Finally he says, “…so that you may know how you should answer each person.” That requires wisdom. When we look at some of Jesus’ words for spiritual hypocrites, the may be view as more “salty” than seasoned with salt. Then again, He was the Son of God and knew the hearts of all men. Still we realize how we speak is not to be confused with what we speak. Truth is not be compromised. Principles are not to be laid aside.
Having lived in a “world of words” more than most people, I realize the importance of the words we speak. They say something about us, how we view others and who is directing our life. May what comes out of our mouth reflect the Christ that is within our hearts.