Today's Scriptures are Colossians 3:1-17; Colossians 4:2-6. There is a definite theme in these verses...how I live matters. Not only does God care, but the unbelieving world does too. I need to live a life that is consistent with the things that come out of my mouth on Sunday.
It's not enough to just say it. People need to see it. It should not be a shocking thing, if people were to find out, that I go to church. In Colossians 4:5, Paul says that we are to make the most of every opportunity. That language comes out of the market place.
One thing I know for certain...I hate shopping. I'm not good at it. If I want something, I go to the store that has it, I find it, I buy that particular item (and nothing else). My wife doesn't shop like that. She knows a variety of stores that carry the same item or very similar items. She will also research which store has the very best price on the item. She will then see if the item will be going on sale, if it is, then she will hopefully be able to use a coupon to purchase the item.
That way, she got the item for the best price. But, that is a lot of work. It takes time and energy on her part to find great deals like that. That is exactly what Paul is talking about. Making sure that we get the best deal (opportunity) with our lost friends. We need to always be looking for the right moment to bring up our faith in Christ or an opportunity to invite them to church.
Paul speaks a lot about praying for these opportunities. Most of us don't do that. We have prayed before we have purchased larger items for our home. Things like a new appliance. We have spent time praying that we could find the best one at the best price. We should do the same for the opportunities to share our faith.
The main point is we need to remember, I need to remember, that when I lose my temper...people are watching. That when my language isn't God honoring...people are watching. When I treat my wife or my kids poorly...people are watching. And people may decide to not follow Christ simply based on what they see in my life. How I live matters.
"Lord, help me to live for you in a way that helps people see who you are. Help me to make the right choices. Help me to always recognize that what I say and do matters. Grant me opportunities, Lord, with my neighbors to share the love of God with them. I pray specifically for Susan, Lord. Help us share our faith in a way that attracts her to the Kingdom and doesn't repel her from it. In Jesus' Name."
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