#219 – The Believers Walk Toward Them That Are Without

THE BELIEVER'S WALK TOWARD THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT

Colossians 4:5 6, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

We are in the world but not of the world. The statement I am about to make is not an easy one but it serves as an ideal illustration of the saving power and keeping power of our Lord.

After separating from Abraham, Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. The city had already gotten the name before Lot moved in. Lot should have known better. But when one is backslidden he definitely loses his spiritual discernment. I am sure that Lot would have given a sensible reason for taking this action. If it were not for God making it plain I would have a hard time believing Lot was saved. Let's look at what God says in the New Testament about Lot.

2 Peter 2:7 8, "And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds)"

1. The first thing we must deal with in this passage is that Lot is called “just.” When God calls a man just, He is saying he is saved.

2. The second thing stated in this passage is that Lot was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. The word “vexed” translates “kataponeo” and means, to tire down with toil, exhaust with labour; to afflict or oppress with evils. Why did Lot stay in the city of Sodom when he was being vexed by the lifestyle (Homosexuality) of the people? There is only one answer, sin blinds. Satan trapped Lot and ruined his testimony.

3. The third thing we note is that their sin, revealed by the very name of the city, was a daily affair.

4. This is a sin that is tolerated today. It is unbelievable that America has tolerated that sin and it has grown to be acceptable. All homosexual activity is under the judgment of God. Ecclesiastes 8:11, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." What is to be our lifestyle before the unsaved (those without) of this world?

WE ARE TO WALK IN WISDOM

Colossians 4:5, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time."

The words,“Walk in wisdom,” is a reference to one exercising the gift of wisdom. The word wisdom speaks of the proper use of knowledge. It is doing the right thing in the right way. One can do a right thing in a wrong way. This is the lack of wisdom. Those outside the Church are watching us. They need to see the effects true Christianity has on a person.

The words, “redeeming the time,” means to take every opportunity in reaching the lost.

WE ARE TOLD TO WATCH WHAT WE SAY

Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

One has to know what grace means before he can explain it. We must go to the lost with a message of grace not of law. Law condemns Grace forgives. Grace is to permeate our speech to reach those who are without.

The words, “seasoned with salt,” mean the message of the gospel can be made palpable. If one jumps right in the middle of an unsaved man with voice raised you will drive more away from Christ that you will bring to Him.

When we season our message with salt, we will discover that God is with us and no one can get the results He can.

When we evangelize like the Lord says He will enable us to accomplish the task. Moses gives a good illustration in Exodus 28:3, "And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office."

God can and will qualify the worker if only that worker will let him. James 1:5 6 says,