Setting – How to conduct ourselves with non-believers
Content – Living wisely gives a witness to unbelievers (v. 5a NASB) “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders”. We should also make the most of our time with non-believers (v. 5b NASB) “making the most of the opportunity” Paul’s theme is still preaching and reaching the lost in verses 3 and 4. He wants others to be a witness also. Not only should our lives to be lived wisely in front of non-believers, but also our speech (v. 6b NASB) “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt” Our speech needs to offer grace to those who hear and be palatable to those who hear “seasoned with salt” Because we are wisely living we have the knowledge on how to speak to non-believers (v. 6b NASB) “so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”, or as the New Living Translation puts it, “so that you will have the right answer for everyone.” We know the saving grace of God. We have a responsibility to know how to answer non-believers questions.
Application – We have a responsibility to spread the loving gospel of Christ in both word and action. Paul addresses both in these two verses. We need to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward outsiders and to offer words that are gracious and are palatable to non-believers.
Can non-believers look at our lives and say that we are living wisely? Can non-believers say that they like to listen to what we have to say? If they think that we are foolish for giving to the church or forgiving others that doesn’t change. Or if they don’t agree with our witness of the gospel, that doesn’t change either. Even though our life is lived wisely and our speech is gracious, both of these might be offensive to others, because we live a life that convicts them. But our responsibility is to live wisely and to “making the most of the opportunity” towards non-believers in hopes that they will come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
Content – Living wisely gives a witness to unbelievers (v. 5a NASB) “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders”. We should also make the most of our time with non-believers (v. 5b NASB) “making the most of the opportunity” Paul’s theme is still preaching and reaching the lost in verses 3 and 4. He wants others to be a witness also. Not only should our lives to be lived wisely in front of non-believers, but also our speech (v. 6b NASB) “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt” Our speech needs to offer grace to those who hear and be palatable to those who hear “seasoned with salt” Because we are wisely living we have the knowledge on how to speak to non-believers (v. 6b NASB) “so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”, or as the New Living Translation puts it, “so that you will have the right answer for everyone.” We know the saving grace of God. We have a responsibility to know how to answer non-believers questions.
Application – We have a responsibility to spread the loving gospel of Christ in both word and action. Paul addresses both in these two verses. We need to conduct ourselves with wisdom toward outsiders and to offer words that are gracious and are palatable to non-believers.
Can non-believers look at our lives and say that we are living wisely? Can non-believers say that they like to listen to what we have to say? If they think that we are foolish for giving to the church or forgiving others that doesn’t change. Or if they don’t agree with our witness of the gospel, that doesn’t change either. Even though our life is lived wisely and our speech is gracious, both of these might be offensive to others, because we live a life that convicts them. But our responsibility is to live wisely and to “making the most of the opportunity” towards non-believers in hopes that they will come to the saving knowledge of Christ.
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