PT-1 "The Speech of Performance" (Col. 4:5)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 6/7/2017 5:45 PM

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  PT-1 “The Speech of Performance”

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Colossians 4:5

            Message of the verse:  “5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.”

            Colossians 1:9 also has the word wisdom in it:  “9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  Now wisdom involves properly evaluating the circumstances of life so that you can make godly decisions as you plan your life in a consistent, righteous Christian life.

            Paul uses the word “outsiders” and I believe he is talking about those who are outside of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  As believers we are conduct our life in order that the outsiders can see how we live in a godly wise way, and then perhaps they will want to ask questions as to why we are living like we are and then have an opportunity to tell them about Jesus Christ and salvation through His name.

            Believers can do things that are not the wisest which will then hinder their testimony to those unbelievers around them.  They can also live foolishly by trying to live the Christian life legalistically.  Let us look at Galatians 3:1, 3 “1 You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”  MacArthur adds “Jealousy and selfish ambition, being the opposite of wisdom, are other ways even believers can express foolishness (James 3:16).”  “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

            Let us look at some verses that will help us live in a wise way:  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Pr. 9:10).”  Next we want to talk about prayer from James 1:5 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”  Next is Bible study from Col. 3:16 “16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Next is godly instruction from Col. 1:28 “We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.”  Perhaps believers today should do as the first century believers did who did not have the benefits of having the modern technology as they just lived a powerful wise Christian life and others saw it.

            As we look at the last part of Colossians 4:5 “making the most of the opportunity” we can look at Psalm 90:12 which says “So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom,” a very wise statement from the pen of Moses.  Jesus even spoke of this in John 9:4 when He said “"We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.”

            Lastly we want to look at Romans 13:11-14 “11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

6/7/2017 6:05 PM