Day 474: Colossians 4- Salty

Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Meditation
God wants to use your mouth to speak His grace, bringing Kingdom flavor to every conversation and situation. Christians are salt, called to flavor life with love from our lips and life.
 
The conclusion of Colossians continues the implications of Christians “being raised with Christ” (3:1). Saved by faith and walking by faith (2:6) we prioritize conversation vertically in prayer (2-4), horizontally towards outsiders (5-6), and in community on mission (7-17). Resurrection implications include stewarding what we speak and how we serve, sharing God’s grace with our lips and our lives.
 
Peter commands the church to speak towards outsiders with “gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15) and Jesus calls His disciples “the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).  Paul combines these into a resurrection direction for our communication and conversation, always speaking grace seasoned with salt.
 
Paul’s priority for his own speech is to clearly articulate “the mystery of Christ” (3-4). Resurrected people speak grace showing the world the mystery of Christ’s love.
 
Speaking grace is Kingdom purpose for you and me. Where the culture and church are in course communication we speak peace. Engaging words of judgment, self-righteousness, and condemnation we speak forgiveness, encouragement, and healing. Where there is hate we speak love. Where words are tossed in anger we can speak in patience, gentleness, and kindness.  Where words of despondency and despair fill the air we can speak joy.
 
Christians are a resurrected people, saved by grace to speak grace with our lips and lives.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Are resurrected realities evident in your conversations and relationships? Do you speak grace?
 
-When we were enemies of God He spoke grace through the love of Christ. Jesus did not come to condemn but to save (John 3:17)! How does God’s grace for you compel you to speak grace to a lost and hostile world?
 
-Where do you need to speak grace and flavor your life with love? With whom do you need to speak with today?
 
Key Verse
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.