7 Days in Colossians: Day 7

Colossians 4

New King James Version (NKJV)

4 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Christian Graces

² Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; ³ meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, ⁴ that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

⁵ Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he^[a] may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, ⁹ with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

¹² Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete^[b] in all the will of God. ¹³ For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal^[c] for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. ¹⁵ Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his^[d] house.

Closing Exhortations and Blessing

¹⁶ Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

¹⁸ This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

I feel like a lot of this chapter is fluff... greetings between Paul and the church. But I really like this one verse. (ok I like them all but this is what stands out.)

  ⁶ Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

What exactly does this mean? 

Earlier in the Bible, the Jesus tells us that we should be the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

I really like to look the few reasons we use salt.  First, we use it for taste... to season. 

But the biggest one for me is this.  Salt is used to preserve. 

I really feel like Paul is telling us here, speak with grace to preserve the hearts of those you are speaking to.  If you pray about the words you are saying and allow God to speak through you, then you WILL know how to answer each one as this verse says, seasoned with salt, to preserve their heart and soul. 

If we aren't seasoned enough to hear the voice of God, then we can't share that seasoning with others, that's for sure. 

Ask God to use you today to preserve one's heart and soul, and watch him bring you opportunities to share His gospel.