“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)

My sister and I went to a family baby shower that consisted of all our aunts and cousins. While mingling one cousin approached and started to share with us how she had become a christian, she was excited and couldn’t wait to share the news. We were a little surprised as my extended family has always been very closed when it comes to the gospel. This changed our relationship and what happened as result was the three of us spent the next two years in a discipleship group, learning and growing together.

Because of the long history of faithful living as believers in front of my extended family, my cousin knew exactly who to share the news with when the time came. My parents had shared the gospel previously and years of conscientious living walked it out in front of them.

Full of Grace; Seasoned with Salt

People are watching, they sit back and observe. If your life consistently reflects Christ and what you believe, it will win the opportunity to speak truth when the time is right.  

This is why, we are to always be prepared, behaving wisely in our relationships and seizing opportunities as they arise. So that it will win us the right to share the good news of the gospel of Christ Jesus.

Paul reminds in this very passage to “Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]” (Col. 2:6 AMP). In other words, we are to be prepared. Ready to defend, ready to explain and ready to listen and respond with grace to those who seek us out. As believers, we need to be wise in how we live.

Peter wrote something similar to the Church, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed for their slander” (1 Pet. 3:15-16). 

Time to Reflect...

Can you think of a time where your behavior weakened your credibility? What about a time where it reflected Christ and others noticed?