SANCTIFICATION: A NEW BEHAVIOR

COLOSSIANS 4:5-6

JANUARY 30, 2000

 

Even though he was in prison, Paul maintained a concern for the spread of the gospel. He exhorts the Colossians to be devoted to prayer and to include prayer for him, that he might have doors of opportunity and clarity of speech for the gospel. The Apostle had learned to utilize every situation for gospel witness. So now he looks for even his prison time to be for the advance of the gospel. He turns to the Colossians to exhort them in their own opportunities of evangelism. If he could be looking for evangelistic opportunities in prison, then they were to be sensitive to Christian witness in the day-to-day occurrences of their lives.

 

Dick Lucas explains this clearly: "We may describe this difference by saying that while the apostle looks for many opportunities for direct evangelism and teaching, the typical Christian in Colossae is to look for many opportunities for responsive evangelism" [The Bible Speaks Today, 173]. Direct evangelism is what we purposefully do; perhaps even to the point of programming some type of witnessing ministry. This might come in door-to-door evangelism or home visitation or similar approaches. But responsive evangelism implies that the Christian lives as a believer in whatever setting the Lord has placed him with a view to answering the unbeliever's questions about Jesus Christ. The distinctiveness of a holy life warrants discussion regarding the Faith.

 

Christians have the opportunity of evangelism in all kinds of settings. I think we have probably done a great injustice to evangelistic work by placing so much emphasis on techniques and strategies, while neglecting the necessity of Christians living out their sanctification as a means of opening doors for evangelism. It is not that strategies and techniques are wrong in themselves. Instead, when there is a neglect of proper spiritual development, then the Christian will of necessity rely upon a technique to pry his way into an evangelistic encounter. He may mechanically present the gospel but really fail to convey the truth of the gospel. Paul's concept of evangelism is simple: the Christian's walk with Christ sets the stage for explaining the gospel to unbelievers. How is this to take place in our lives?

 

I. The Christian's conduct

 

How do we know that Paul is dealing with the issue of evangelism at this point? It is clear from two particular issues. First, there is a direct connection, as we have already noticed, between verses 2-4 and the present text. There, Paul had in mind prayer for the purpose of evangelism in his life. Now he has in mind evangelism for the Colossian believers. Secondly, we noticed that he mentions a group he calls "outsiders." Rabbis to refer to other religions used the term. Here Paul uses it to refer to "unbelievers." 

 

The Christian's conduct becomes the stage that opens the door for evangelism. Rather than thinking of evangelism always in terms of a planned, direct, or confrontational approach, we must also see it taking place serendipitously in the setting of daily life. This cannot happen if the Christian fails to progress in his sanctification.

 

There is a direct connection in this entire section by which we see Paul explaining the application of the gospel to the whole of life in ongoing sanctification. He has already explained the necessity of developing in our family, church, and work relationships. But all of those relationships were assumed to be Christian-to-Christian. Now he clearly explains the relationship between the Christian and the non-Christian.

 

F.F. Bruce explained, "Paul wishes to emphasize that, while he has an exceptional opportunity of witness-bearing at the heart of the empire, each Christian has a special opportunity for witness and should make the most of it while it lasts" [NICNT, 174]. This is our goal as we study this text that we might learn to make the most of God-given opportunities for Christian witness.

 

1. A walk of wisdom

 

I believe in utilizing various approaches to evangelism. Some may use what is called "friendship evangelism," while others prefer "confrontational evangelism." Between these two are all sorts of varied methods. The problem comes in suggesting that there is only one legitimate approach to evangelism. Some go to an extreme by saying they do not have to speak their witness, they only need to live it. Others react to this by saying, 'Well, how many people have you had knocking you down by declaring they have become Christians through watching your life?' Such a battle is unnecessary among Christians.

 

We must admit that some people are better equipped for confrontational or direct evangelism than others. But these are not to be the only ones witnessing nor are we to discount any witness that fails to be direct. Paul was gifted in a direct-approach to evangelism, but he did not insist on the Colossians copying him. However, he did insist that they be witnesses with both life and lips as part of their ongoing sanctification. We see this in his command: "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity."

 

The common term, "conduct," refers to the way you live your life. It is elsewhere translated as "walk" or "behavior." It points to the Christian giving attention to his spiritual walk, that is, the whole of his daily lifestyle. Why is this so important? Aside from the fact that it pleases the Lord who is sanctifying you as a Christian, there are "outsiders," unbelievers, who are watching your every move.

 

Whether you realize it or not, you are under scrutiny as a Christian. Someone is always watching your attitude, the way you treat your family, your reaction to pressure situations, whether or not you speak negatively about others. They watch you on the job or at school to see how diligent you are in your responsibilities and how kindly you treat those about you. They observe your conversation to see if you speak anything that might give them light for their own struggles through the darkness of life without Christ. They look to see if what you profess on Sunday is deeply satisfying on Monday as well.

 

How can we throw light to unbelievers who watch us? Paul says clearly, "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders." There is no one-two-three formula for us to follow. Instead, Paul uses the word "wisdom" to convey the whole content of the believer's walk. This is Paul's fourth use of the word in the epistle. The first two uses can help us in our grasp of the Apostle's intention. First, in Colossians 1:9, Paul prays for the Colossians that they might "be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." The emphasis here is upon "the knowledge of His will." We saw in our study of this text what was meant by the term wisdom and understanding. In Hebrew thought, wisdom was "skill in living." It was the application of knowledge or spiritual insights into all the issues of daily life. The Greek word for understanding means 'to put together the facts, drawing the necessary conclusions, and applying them to the relationships of life'. So his prayer was for the understanding and application of the revelation of God to their lives. Truth was to permeate every part of their lives.

 

Second, he explains that wisdom is found in Jesus Christ, "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (2:3). So there is an intersection of what Paul prayed with the fact that the revelation of Christ is the root of the believer's wisdom. It is our knowledge of Christ, the gospel, and its full application that Paul has in mind.

 

So to "conduct yourselves with wisdom" means that you are consciously applying the truth of the gospel to every portion of life. You are developing in your sanctification so that the beauty of Christ is manifest through you "toward outsiders."

 

George Hammond, a 17th century Puritan, preached upon this text and declared, "Christian graces, being so exercised that they may be seen in their proper luster, are excellent orators, and have a mighty power to persuade" [Puritan Sermons-Cripplegate, vol. 4, 412]. The wonderful graces of "bearing with one another, and forgiving each other," of letting "the peace of Christ rule in your hearts," of letting "the word of Christ richly dwell within you," and doing all things in the name of the Lord Jesus (3:13-17) provide the framework for daily life. They preach a sermon without a word; yet in so preaching it opens the door for words.

 

2. Seizing the opportunity

 

What does Paul have in mind by the use of "opportunity?" The word is often translated as "time," but has nothing to do with chronological time (that's chronos, while this is kairos). It means a "decisive or crucial point" or a "critical situation in your life that requires decisive action; a decisive moment" [TDNT, vol. III, 455]. It refers to a period of possibilities upon which you must take action. Jesus used the word in Mark 1:15, pointing to the decisive period of his proclamation of the gospel: "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Those who heard the proclamation of the gospel had the responsibility to "seize the moment" by repenting and trusting in Christ. He also looked over Jerusalem weeping, because she "did not recognize the time of [her] visitation" (Luke 19:44). Again, time is used of a decisive moment that requires action.

 

The Greeks had a statue to the god Kairos, standing at the entrance of the stadium at Olympia. It was described as a young man who had just become a citizen of Greece, with winged feet and a strange feature: he had a lock of hair at the front of his head while the rest of his hair was short. The implication brought to mind the character of a decision, grasping Kairos by the favorable opportunity of his passing by; knowing that once he passed, there was no forelock of hair to seize. Opportunity must be seized when made available otherwise it is gone.

 

The Apostle instructs us, "making the most of the opportunity." What is the opportunity? It is the decisive point of the believer's godly life stirring up a time of Christian witness. Paul said to seize the moment; not to let it pass by. I think we can readily identify with the term for "making the most." It was a marketplace term that referred to "snapping up every opportunity that comes" [P.T. O'Brien, Word Biblical Commentary, 241]. We can think of it like this. Suppose your favorite store put out a notice that all its merchandise was 75% off. Would you say, 'If I have a chance I will get around to making the most of the bargains'? I dare say, you would be there "with bells on" at the earliest opportunity! You would "snap up the opportunity." That's what the believer is to do when through the means of a distinctively Christian life, an unbeliever begins to inquire of the way he lives or why he is different from others or how he is able to cope with the demands of life. Those are not compliments, but divine signals to seize the moment for pointing to Jesus Christ.

 

II. The Christian's speech

 

There is a logical connection between the believer's walk and his talk. We have already established that Paul was not dealing with conversation in general, but specifically the Christian's witness to his unbelieving acquaintances. The "opportunity" or decisive moment has arisen so that the Christian has "a door for the word." It might be in the most unexpected situation. It could also be a time in which brevity of conversation will be required. This does not necessarily mean that the Christian will present the A to Z of the gospel. He may have "opportunity" for just a brief word, even a sentence or two. But in that choice moment, he is to be prepared in heart and head to give a clear explanation of Jesus Christ and the gospel.

 

1. A response to questions

 

The very last statement Paul makes helps us to understand that he is referring to a Christian responding to an unbeliever's questions: "so that you will know how you should respond to each person." The word, "respond," is normally translated as "answer." Here the Greek brings out in an emphatic sense that the Christian is the one who is to be ready to respond properly. Guy Appere has rightly stated:

 

An answer presupposes a question. Now, what is more likely to make 'outsiders' want to ask questions than a 'different' life, a way of living that cannot be explained by usual worldly motives, aims and standards? A genuine, radiant Christian life is sure to make the many people who find no satisfaction in their own lives think and perhaps ask questions [The Mystery of Christ, 132-133].

The unbelieving friend might not walk up and say, 'How about telling me what I must know to be a Christian?' Instead, he may comment on some issue in your life or actions or devotion, offering a puzzled look or thought as to why you are the way you are. Or he may ask for your advice to a problem situation in his family or work. Or he may question you about what you believe. Any of these are certain opportunities for pointing to Jesus Christ. The Christian must be ready to respond.

 

Here again we see the relationship to sanctification. If you are not progressing in your sanctification, then your thoughts will not likely be very focused upon the things of the Lord. So when someone asks what may very well be a leading question, you drop the ball completely. You don't even see what is going on until perhaps the opportunity is past. Keeping our hearts attuned to the Lord and our minds sharpened on biblical truth can help us be prepared for those surprising situations for Christian witness. Paul rightly uses the word "wisdom" to describe what ought to characterize us. For in wisdom, we are walking by biblical revelation, with a readiness to apply God's truth to all of life. Such spiritual keenness prepares the Christian for just the right response in a given opportunity.

 

2. The content of speech

 

Even the Christian's normal speech can be the means for opening doors for Christian witness. Paul declares, "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt." Have you evaluated the way you talk lately? We might keep a check on our grammar or perhaps a drawl, but do we take note of the content of our speech? The word for "grace" can certainly, at very minimum, imply that our speech must be gracious, pleasant, charming, or winsome [C. Vaughan, Bible Study Commentary, 112]. If we are prone to being negative in our speech or harsh or critical, we can be sure that we offer nothing attractive for the unbeliever. Nor are we to consider that Paul means you can turn on and turn off the gracious speech according to the need. He refers to a changed pattern of life in our conversation.

 

Because a Christian is a new creation in Christ, then even what comes from his lips should be a reflection of the newness of his life. He may have been prone to profanity or crude remarks before his conversion, but now he makes sure that his yes is yes and his no is no (Matt. 5:37). He may have been prone to complaining and griping about everything from the traffic to the weather, but now, he lives with thankfulness in his heart to the Lord, recognizing the Lord's sovereignty over every aspect of his life. He may have been rather dull in his conversation because he really did not have much to talk about, but now, in Christ, he has a new delight for his conversation and a joy permeating his whole being.

 

But I think we must also consider that Paul kept in mind that when the believer was attempting to do anything, he was to do it with a dependence of God providing grace. So for his speech to be gracious or winsome, the Christian must receive constantly from the abundant depths of God's grace. Appere rightly declares, "What should come out in our witness is the grace of Christ himself" [p. 134]. In sanctification, Christ is being formed in you, shaping even your conversation to demonstrate that you live by grace not by your own strength. Such a demonstration provides ample opportunity for explaining Christ.

 

"Seasoned with salt," suggests that the Christian's speech "must not be dull and insipid but should be interesting and judiciously chosen" [P. O'Brien, 242]. In its ancient Greek usage, salt would often refer to a person's wittiness. Here it seems that Paul has more in mind that our conversation should be winsome, warm, convincing, and even sparkling. Salt has the quality of flavoring, preserving, and purifying. The Christian's conversation should be so filled with thanks to the Lord that it flavors every conversation. His speech should never fall prey to the destructive and detrimental practices of the world but instead, help to preserve wholesomeness in the world. Because of the quality of content in his speech, there should also be a purifying effect on those about the Christian.

 

Murray Harris has done a wonderful job paraphrasing this text to help us see what Paul is commending to the Colossians:

Be tactful and wise in all your relations with unbelievers; buy up every possible opportunity to influence them for the kingdom of God. Let your conversation always be graciously winsome and seasoned with the salt of wit and pungency, so that you may know how you should give an answer suitable for each occasion and each need to each separate individual [Exegetical Guide to the Greek New Testament: Colossians & Philemon, 198].

3. Individualized approach

 

"The way we act towards others will either provide a natural opening for witness or else it will shut the door," writes Guy Appere [133]. The Apostle's message on evangelism demonstrates that every Christian can be involved in offering a Christian witness to the world, if he will give attention to his sanctification. Do not think that unless you are involved in direct evangelism, you have no chance to witness. Your lifestyle and conversation pry open otherwise closed doors for the purpose of explaining to others "the hope that is within you" (I Peter 3:15).

 

Paul explains that you are to watch your behavior, seize opportunities for responding with truth, and guard your conversation so that it resembles the gracious talk of Christ and not the world. In so doing, you will have individualized opportunities for witness: "so that you will know how you should respond to each person." He does not offer what has been called "a canned approach" to evangelism. Here you are called upon to be sensitive to both the direction of the Holy Spirit, the truth of God, and the individual to whom you are speaking, so that you apply just the right measure of truth in the conversation. It is an individually tailored approach to evangelism according to the condition and apprehensions and questions of the unbelieving friend.

 

Perhaps you are frustrated over witnessing because you have in mind that in order to witness, you must use a particular program or style. Paul's clear command blows that idea apart! You are not to dump Christian information upon the discovery that you have someone asking questions. Instead, you are to evaluate the person's need or questions, and then seek to apply the right biblical instruction for them at that time.

 

How do you best prepare for such momentous occasions? Study the Scripture, filling your mind with the truth of the gospel; seeing it from every angle and every hue. Systematically going through books of the Bible can help to solidify your grasp of the Word, so that in the time of "opportunity" you will know precisely how to respond. You are not dependent upon a programmed approach. You have the entire Bible at your disposal to apply the right word.

 

Conclusion

 

There are a few things we need to identify again as we conclude our study of this text. First, know that others are watching you, looking for light on Christianity. So live like a believer. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Press forward in sanctification. Second, be sensitive to God-ordained opportunities for offering a word of witness. It may or may not be a prolonged conversation, but it is a clear witness nonetheless. Seize the moment for the sake of God's kingdom. Third, evaluate your speech in light of Paul's instruction: to always be with grace as though seasoned with salt. Maybe you need to make some changes in the way you speak. Understand that what passes through your lips might be life to someone. Fourth, be sensitive to the individual in your Christian witness. Apply the Word directly to the need of the moment. May the Lord help us to truly live and speak as Christians.

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