Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Scripture: Col. 4:5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom towards outsiders, making the most of the opportunity;

Teaching: Before his closing remarks, Paul adds another imperative in 4:5, to “conduct yourselves with wisdom towards outsiders.” What wisdom is he describing? Paul has been stressing wisdom throughout this letter and he means only one kind: spiritual wisdom (Col. 1:9). Paul continues to develop this idea of spiritual wisdom and its impact on the believer throughout his letter to the Colossians in 1:28, 2:3, and 3:16. These verses bring together the idea of the believer understanding that they are in Christ, which, distinctly makes them separate from the rest of the world. However, this was not accomplished in and of themselves, but by Christ and His work on the cross. For Paul, spiritual wisdom was understanding the sovereignty of Christ and His work on the cross as well as the completely undeserving nature of oneself to receive such salvation. By believing Paul’s earlier words, that each of them “have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority” (2:10), the Colossians understoond that they were wholly separate and distinct from those not in Christ, i.e. the “outsiders.” But Paul commands the Colossians not to view these outsiders as unworthy of Christ but rather as opportunities for the saving message of the Gospel. They are thereby instructed to make the most of every opportunity – every interaction, every person – to draw outsiders into Christ.

Takeaway: Each of us in Christ was not made so by our own accord. By the grace of God, Christ died for each of us while we were still sinners. When we understand both the sovereignty of God and our own sinful and undeserving nature, the result is spiritual wisdom. Spiritual wisdom, in turn, leads us not to closing off “outsiders” who do not understand the things of God, but rather, causes us to evangelize and witness for Christ to all – even those society, and our own personal feelings, tell us are not worthy of saving. Walking in spiritual wisdom sees each person as Christ does: worthy of His love and salvation.