Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 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.
Colossinas 4:2-6
This is a really neat little passage; there’s so much to see. As Paul closes out his letter, he reminds the people to be devoted to prayer, and while this may seem routine, after all, Apostles talk about prayer a lot, Paul here seems to bring it to life. I’m always struck by the idea of prayer being “watchful and thankful.” Maybe thankful, as in giving thanks isn’t so surprising, but watchful! How often do you hear someone say that we should be watchful in our prayers?
Watchful for what? Things you want God to give you, like little favors? “Oh yes, and Father please send me that new Lexus… something like that? Somehow I doubt it. Maybe watchful for someone who needs intercession, maybe an opening for the Gospel, maybe something that is within God’s priority system; yes that seems more like the kind of “watchful” that Paul has in mind. He continues by asking for the people to pray for him, but again, not in the way we might expect. Notice, that even though he is in prison, he didn’t ask them to pray for his release, he asked them to pray that he might preach the Gospel effectively.
I don’t know about you, but that gets my attention every time! When Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:5 ff. He taught us to pray for God’s priorities. “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” Do we remember to do that? Are we watchful for specifics that fit into this category? Well, I can only speak for myself, but truth be told, I forget or overlook this more often than I’d care to admit! Paul seems to continue in this line of thinking when he advises us to be wise when speaking to “outsiders,” non-Christians. We are to be ready to make the most of every opportunity, to show them the love of Jesus Christ. Maybe we should pray for those opportunities! We are to speak to them “with grace, seasoned with salt…” Grace is often defined as “unmerited favor” meaning that we are to deal with them in love; more love than they might deserve.
I have a little secret for you to consider: Speaking to someone with grace is not telling them that they are wrong, even if they are. It doesn’t mean calling them names, or being critical of the way they live. Yes, there is a fair chance that they live as unbelievers, but guess what? They are unbelievers, and that may be just how they are supposed to live. Out job isn’t to correct the world, it is to save the world for Christ. This requires grace, not criticism. Salt is an interesting metaphor; I’ve heard many different explanations for this, so I’ll throw out my thoughts. When we season food with salt, we add it to bring out the full flavor of the ingredients, and when we speak with grace, seasoned with salt, we are sharing the full love of God who so loved the world that He sent His Son to die to save the world. We need out speech to be so full of His grace, that nobody hears the slightest little bit of condemnation come from our lips!
So, when you put this all together, maybe I should remember to pray that God will bring me opportunities, and give me the words to share, so that some may be saved. What do you think; do you need to join me in praying this way? If not, I’d love to hear why that is.
Life Project Blog 
What has just struck me is this. Salt. The looking around and finding a wealth of imagery attached to salt in biblical times (found the same thing with “bread” the other day). Health, cooking, flavour, and even to (almost) covenant staus at times. And like a dash of salt, enhancing the flavour of words and their message/source far beyond my comprehension today. Something like the nuances in UK English US English – one small phrase “lost in translation” and now just words on page.
Until you come along. And re-salt them. And then finish with a loaded question.
Loaded question? Me??
With your profle picture and then your mafia name – the angelic look is a big ask! 🙂
I’m sure I have no idea what you are referring to!
Jesus was the perfect embodiment of grace and truth. When we look at the example he set, as well as His followers, we see the following verses in Scripture:
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on [a]God’s interests, but man’s.” (Matthew 16:23)
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; (Ephesians 5: 11)
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. (Revelations 2:20)
I am a firm believer in grace. And I am firm believer in speaking the truth in love. How will they know unless they hear?
Yes, quite so, and how will they ever comprehend what they hear until they are in relationship with Jesus Christ?
Oh, so true. God, please have mercy.
It is so hard to remember as Christians we do not gather the lost in condemning them but showing them love.
This little song reminds me
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
Love is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in us
I remember that one! thanks for sharing it, it sums up an important point that we so often forget, which is what Chuck Colson was talking about when he said that you can’t share the love of Christ with someone when you have your finger in their face!
Thanks for the song!
i just love this song Iremember the mens sunday school class in new mexico singing this song together in front of the church we were brought together and strenghtened through tis song amen
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Wow I didn’t see prayer like that! Thanks for pointing that out.
I appreciate that, thanks!