Theme: Colossians 3

Graceful & Salty

Some people have a wonderful way of always speaking a kind word or doing a kind act, just when it is most needed and will do the greatest good.  That’s what Paul instructed the Colossians to do:

“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.

He also wrote to the Ephesians:

“Do not let unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29

Benefit.  Edify.  Build up.  Eencourage. That’s the kind of conversation that should be demonstrated both within the kingdom as well as to people outside the kingdom. Our culture today does not “build up” Christians. Our beliefs and concerns are often under attack. We gather with our brothers and sisters to get built back up and, building one another up should be an intentional goal for every one of us. We must be careful not to tear each other down by our words or actions. It’s easy to tear people down in a teasing, offhand sort of way.  And there is nothing gracious or edifying in sarcasm.  Every word that leaves our mouths ought to be spoken with careful regard to those who will hear them.

Gracious speech flows from a heart that has been established in the grace of God.  What does gracious conversation sound like?  Our words should be kind.  Gracious talk is controlled, tactful, compassionate and thoughtful.  When we talk to others, we should reflect back to them the God we serve.  If our conversation is with someone who doesn’t know God, they have to be able to see Him through us.  And they have to not only hear about God’s love and mercy and grace, but they have to be able to hear and see our compassion and mercy.

The gracious speech of Jesus is a great example for us, as is everything we are told about Him. After the first sermon of his career, spoken in the synagogue at Nazareth, people were impressed by his teaching. The text says,  “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips” (Luke 4:22).  And when he spoke with the Samaritan woman, whose story is told in John 4, she knew only the beliefs and prejudices of her people. But Jesus led her gently to understand who he was, what he had come to do, and her great need of him.  As a result of this gracious conversation, the woman believed and became a witness to other people in her town.

Our conversation should be gracious, too.  But, what about the salty part of Paul’s instruction?  I think he is referring to salt’s ability to add flavor to something that might otherwise be bland or insipid. If a believer has a wonderful story of conversion to tell, it should be told in an interesting way or else the story won’t be heard. Unbelievers will never be attracted to a new life by old clichés and lifeless words.  Sprinkling salt on a gracious conversation might also mean that, while we are extending grace to someone outside of the Kingdom, and while we are speaking gently and kindly, we can be courageous at the same time, boldly sharing the Gospel.

It’s easy to extend judgment and criticism.  The world expects Christians to judge them and point fingers disapprovingly.  Jesus didn’t do it that way.  He extended mercy and forgiveness to people who knew they were sinners, but had harsh words and rebukes for those who pretended they were perfect. As He did in John 8:1-11, it can be so powerful to refuse to condemn someone, and instead extend God’s grace and acceptance along with a suitable seasoning of salt.

Lord, create in me the ability to have conversations full of grace.  Sometimes when I try it all comes out wrong.  I can only accomplish this through Your working in me.  May your attitude and words be in my heart and mind, so that my conversation will reflect your grace and glory. Thank you for loving me and forgiving me. amen

Lynn Anne Hughes
Stephenville, Texas

Theme: Colossians 3

Letting Peace Rule

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Col. 3:15 NIV

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Col. 3:15 The Message

As I meditated on this scripture, the word “let” stood out in my mind. Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Jesus wants so much for His body to get along together and dwell in peace. He wants us to support one another. He wants us thinking about what is best for our brothers and sisters and not solely what is best for us. It appears that being called to peace is much like being called to unity.  Isn’t it amazing that in unity there is peace?

We will never have that kind of peace if we choose to hold onto our grudges, bitter feelings, resentment, or envy, insisting on things being done our way. We must choose to forgive, putting others first, and let peace rule.

I tried to imagine what it would “feel” like to let peace rule. I imagined myself sitting on the most comfortable couch with my heavenly Father sitting on one side and my brother Jesus sitting on the other. They both are always loving me and watching out for me and I am doing my best to love them back.  Between us is perfect peace. That is the same peace that Jesus wants for all believers.  When you have peace like that, you can’t help but be thankful.

Dear Heavenly Father, I want the peace that you offer, a peace that can’t be found anywhere else.  You even tell me the secret of how to possess it. Give me the courage to take hold of it and let it rule in my heart! In the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, Amen.

Terry Diane Smith

Stephenville, TX

Theme: Colossians 3

Colossians 3:12-14 says,

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love [emphasis mine], which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Lots of us like rules.  Rules are easy to follow.  Rules let’s us know where the boundaries are and how far is too far.  Rules give us limits.  Lots of us don’t like rules.  Rules have to be followed.  Rules box us in.  Rules give us limits.  

Virtues are wide open.  We can choose how virtuous we want to be and we can choose which virtues we want to exhibit at a given time.  Virtues don’t have boundaries, don’t have limits and aren’t always easy to incorporate into our life because it’s our choice.  Paul gives us a list of virtues we can choose from instead of giving us rules.  You see, rules are just rules and following rules doesn’t lead to holy living because we are simply doing what we are told.  Virtues, those are choices and they lead to holy living because we are making a choice to be a disciple when we display virtues.  

Paul wraps up by leading us to the greatest virtue; to put on love which binds them all together in perfect unity.  We can be given rules on how to live or God can simply lead us to live in love so that we do things that are in accordance with his will and exemplify what Jesus taught in word and action while on earth.  If we follow the rules, we can become robotic  If we learn to put on love, we do whatever we do because our heart is closer to God’s heart.  He doesn’t want robotics, he wants children created in his image who choose to live in his perfect will for us.

That cannot happen if we are simply following a set of rules but it occurs when we live in love.  

Love spurs us to live a virtuous life.  Love spurs us to allow God to live through us and in us. Love spurs us to see things through the eyes of God, to hear things through the ears of God, to say things with the love of God.  When we put on love, we put on God because God is love.  

Jeff Jones

Decatur, Texas

Theme: Colossians 3

Take A Seat

Shortly after the birth of our oldest son we were given an excellent book on how to establish a Christian home (See below).  One of the tools I appreciated the most was a listing of A-B-C memory bible verses for little ones.   I will always remember the night after we had introduced our new “N” verse, our three year old jumped off of the couch with an emphatic finger in the air and loudly proclaimed, “NOW is the time to come to Jesus!”  (2 Corinthians 6:2).  His sincere exuberance brought proud tears to this momma’s eyes.

Unfortunately, as the journey continues many of us can easily make the ‘now’ past tense. Instead of our salvation being an on-going experience, it can become a bygone event.  We can fall into the trap of believing that warming a pew every week and general “clean” living gets the job done.  We forget why Jesus came to earth.  He doesn’t just want obedient bodies, he wants hearts in tune with the beat of his own, spirits living in the freedom of his Spirit, and souls enjoying the salvation that is a constant outpouring of his grace.

Colossians 3: 1-4 reads,

“1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”  

The word that stands out to me in this passage is, “seated”.  In college I was privileged to take a Prison Epistles course with Dr. Ian Fair.  I recall the day he cross-referenced the passage in Colossians with Ephesians 2: 4-6-

“4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,”

Dr. Fair said that when we pray we are actually entering the throne room of God and “sitting” at his right hand with Jesus who intercedes for us.  To help him keep this powerful concept in mind he prayed daily at a particular table with two chairs.  One he sat in and the other he pulled out for Jesus to take a seat.   

What if we not only prayed in this manner, but lived in this manner as well?  I believe that like it says in Colossians 3:4, Jesus would become our “life”.  He would be the answer to all our questions, and the beginning to all our ends.  I know a few people who live like this.  I’m sure you do, too.  You know those people who instantly make you feel closer to heaven just by being in their presence?  They literally ooze Christ and his loving, healing and merciful power – in their small and everyday encounters.  They do not “save” Jesus for “when they really need him.”

We really need Christ’s presence in every moment of our lives.  Because we died with Christ we must also live with him.  Jesus can become our life if we will take a seat and set our hearts and minds on things above.

Prayer:

“Dear Lord, I desire a full and fulfilling life in Christ.  Thank you for sending your son to hide my life in.  Help me to take my seat next to you and live out my salvation on a daily basis, glorifying you in all I do and am.  I set my mind and heart on you.  Amen.”

Dana Jaworski

Anchor Point, AK

The Most Important Place on Earth, by Robert Wolgemuth