Wise Living
Today I conducted the chapel service at Mackenzie Place retirement home. We enjoyed teaming with Jerry and Virginia Pippin, singing Christmas songs, sharing a message and then enjoying a great lunch in their five-star dining room.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5,6 NIV
There are many similarities between Paul’s letter to the Ephesians and his letter to the Colossians. In Ephesians he calls them to “redeem the time.” (Ephesians 5:16) In Colossians he calls them to “make the most of ever opportunity.” All of these words of instruction and encouragement can be placed under the heading of “wise living.”
In his final words to the Colossians, Paul begins by calling believers to dedicated and watchful prayer. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2 NIV) Prayer sensitizes us to the things of God, it is what moves the “hand of God,” it is what enables us to be on guard against our spiritual enemy and to make an impact on our world.
At the end of Ephesians Paul says, “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)
I believe Paul calls believers to be a “winsome witness” to those they encounter in their world. This calls for wisdom, seizing opportunities, not pushing, but using words that create a “thirst” for spiritual conversation. Paul says we are to alert “so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Peter wrote and said, “…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
First century believers faced fierce opposition to their faith. Yet they were encouraged to be on guard and to be wise, and at the same time bold in their proclamation of the gospel. Paul lays out priorities that are important for us today. Pray…seize opportunities…speak words with the wisdom the Holy Spirit gives. Perhaps if we pray more, conduct ourselves in an honorable manner in our world and remember we are called to be alert; we will be far more effective in our normal course of daily activity, than if we are concerned about being more deliberate in making spiritual conversation.
Prayer for today… Lord, thank You for Your wisdom to live in our present world. Help us to remember the value of “talking to You about others” before we “talk to others about You.” Grant us the spiritual sensitivity that is needed and the reliance on Your Spirit that enables us to share Your love and grace as a natural part of who we are.