Read Colossians 4:5.
Proclaiming the gospel begins with an impression. The first impression we give is often seen in our actions. People looking from the outside at our lives. How we conduct ourselves toward all sorts of people. How we react to difficult situations. How we work and play. And after we have made an outside impression, there is finally personal, non-verbal contact. A smile, a courtesy, a helping hand. Our actions often paint a positive view or a negative view of Christ even before the first words of Christ reach our lips.
Today’s passage has two thoughts. What are they?
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What do you think it means to “be wise” in one’s conduct toward outsiders (cf. 1 Cor. 9:12b; 2 Cor. 6:3-10; 11:7)? What does wise conduct look like with the gospel in view? On the flipside, what does unwise conduct look like?
The idea of making the MOST of EVERY opportunity seems to be asking quite a lot of us! It seems hard enough to just identify the opportunities let alone make the most of them. Perhaps that is the reason this passage (Col. 4:2-6) begins with prayer with watchfulness (v. 2). When prayer is at the frontend of proclamation, we become more aware of the opportunities before us. But making the most of those opportunities is not black and white. At the end of an encounter, it is difficult to know if the most was made of the opportunity. Let me suggest that we ought not to struggle with trying to figure out what “most” is for a given opportunity. God will make the most of any effort we make. The key is being mindful of the opportunity, having an attitude of making Christ known in some way, and being brave enough to make an effort. I believe this mindset is seen in Paul’s words to the Corinthians:
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view… we are therefore, Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Cor. 5:16, 20)
To consider:
As you go about your day, be mindful of your conduct. How you act toward outsiders is an important part of the proclamation of gospel. It’s not as much what you don’t do as what you do do. Be wise in your behavior, and have the mind of Christ in your view of others today.