While reading this morning I was in the book of Colossians
both for personal Bible reading and for preparation for a new series for the
Carolina Faith Riders. I don’t know about many of you but this is a book that
honestly I have never spent a whole lot of time reading and I do not believe I
have heard a whole lot of sermons out of it in my years around the church. So I
am looking forward to this study personally. However, what struck me this morning is
found in Paul’s closing. Colossians 4:5-6 reads:
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making
the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though
seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each
person.
I do not know about you but I believe I could use a little
more salt in my diet. I know what you’re thinking it’s not the same kind of
salt. It’s just an illustration that was part of the culture that everyone
could understand. However, it’s more than that. Recently a friend of mine underwent
open heart surgery. His recovery diet does not allow him to have any salt
whatsoever in his food. He told me that while he was in rehab nothing he ate
had any flavor. The only exception was someone put a piece of cheese on
something he was eating and it was good. Cheese contains salt as part of the
process of its being made. Truth is haven’t we all reached for the salt shaker
when we are eating something that lacks flavor. The same can be said about
Christians who are Christian in name only. These Christians have a flavor that
they world finds to be tasteless and hard to swallow.
Peter’s words are powerful, “let your speech always be with
grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should
respond to each person.” If more people took that to heart we would have a lot
less conflict. Not that our response should be flashy or super spiritual when
we respond to people instead it should be marked with the grace of God that we
ourselves have received. To many time Christians fail to remember what God has
done for them through the sacrifice of His son on the cross. Instead we stand
in judgment of those who do not look at the world as we do. While the world is
telling people to lay of the salt maybe it’s time Christians started back
adding flavor to their lives. We can do this by adding the word of God in to
our day. Spending time in fellowship with other believers and understanding
that God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. So that we can listen
more and talk less. Both to him and to those we meet every day. I want to
challenge you day just as Paul does in his letter to Colossae share the grace
you have received so that the flavor is appealing to the world. Be blessed as
you walk in the light of God’s Word.
