Great Instruction – Prayer – Action – Speak
Prayer – Colossians 4:2-4
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
- Continue steadfastly – This means we want to be consistent in prayer and persistent in prayer. We are to pray consistently not occasionally, and steadfastly, meaning we persevere, meaning we don’t give up.
- Being watchful in it – to be watchful means to be awake, to be alert. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 ESV Paul urges the church to remember how tremendously serious the battle is. Heaven and hell hang in the balance.
- With thanksgiving – our prayer needs to be saturated with thanksgiving. Thankfulness to God first and foremost glorifies God, but it also reminds us of who God is, what God has done for us, who we are in Christ. And I think when we are intentionally remembering and being thankful it empowers us, it motivates us.
“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.”
An open door is a metaphor for a divinely orchestrated opportunity to proclaim the gospel. In other words, God will create opportunities for the gospel to be heard in response to prayer. He will open doors for speaking. When Christians pray, God changes circumstances and attitudes and receptivity for the Word so that instead of hitting a brick wall, the Word finds an open door and becomes unusually effective. Pray that God would provide opportunities to proclaim the gospel and open hearts as only He can do to the gospel.
“That I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”
In other words, not only is there a need for God to open doors, but there also has to be something clear and powerful to send through the door, the Word, the mystery of Christ, the gospel. So, we pray that something happens in us so that our speaking will be courageous and clear and open and powerful. Both are needed. What good is an open door if no one has the courage or the clarity to go through it and speak? And what good is courage and clarity if all the doors are slammed shut on the people who need the Word?
Action – Colossians 4:5
- Walk in wisdom – Walk is a reference to one’s way of life and wisdom is required to effectively engage folks for the sake of the gospel. It’s knowing how to become all things to all men without compromising holiness and truth. It is creativity and tact and thoughtfulness. It’s having a feel for the moment and having an eye for what people need and want.
- “Making the best use of the time.” Purchase the opportunity. There are times that are different from other times. It’s these moments, these unusual opportunities, and they come in our daily lives and in our relationships and we need to watch for them, and we need to buy them when they come, purchase them. They are valuable. They’re one of a kind. And you either buy them or you lose them. Also, don’t think that these opportunities are always easy. Paul is in jail because of sharing the gospel. Do not think that when the moment comes, it will cost you nothing. It will cost you something, overcoming fear, time, money, relationships. Will you purchase the opportunity?
Speak – Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:6 ESV
- “Let your speech be gracious.” Grace is a free gift. Is your speech a gift to others? Matthew 10:8 – “Freely you have received, freely give.” Remember that everything you have is because of grace. Your salvation is grace, your forgiveness is grace, your hope is grace, your eternal life is grace, God loving you is grace. You received it all freely so freely give it away. Let your speech be a gift. I will say it can be a gracious thing to warn people. So don’t don’t think that graciousness always means soft. I don’t think anyone would argue that Jesus’ speech was always gracious, but He didn’t mix words, He didn’t beat around the bush, He wasn’t afraid to warn people, because He loved them
- “Seasoned with salt.” I take this to mean that what we say about Christ and about the Christian life should be made as appetizing as possible. When food is not salted, its taste is bland. People don’t want to eat it. It’s unappetizing. Our speech is not supposed to be like that. Salt can enhance the flavor of food. Our speech and our actions are meant to help people know God, know how amazing He is, how gracious He is, how good, and kind, and patient, and righteous He is. We should speak and act in a way that helps others see who God really is. How do you learn to talk about Christ in a way that makes people’s mouth water? I think the answer is simply to spend time every day reminding yourself from Scripture why the gospel tastes good to you. It’s hard to salt your speech with the deliciousness of Jesus when you haven’t been enjoying the taste yourself. So, the wonderful thing about Paul’s advice here is that the best way to prepare to be an advertisement for the satisfying taste of Jesus is to enjoy Him yourself.
- “so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” What sticks out to me from this section is “each person”. The point is: each person is different, and each situation is different. The gospel is the same, and Christ is the same, but there are countless ways to display and share the gospel. We need wisdom to know how to act and wisdom to know how to speak to each person God brings into our lives.
Pray for B.O.B.
B – Burden: Pray for a burden. Ask God to burden your heart for the lost. Pray that He will burden you with the thought that people are dying every day and going to Hell, and that you will want to do something about it.
O – Opportunity: Pray that the Lord will put opportunities in front of you to share the truth with the lost. That God will open doors for the gospel.
B – Boldness: You must have the boldness to get into that conversation when it is before you.
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