Sharing God's Heart: Seasoned Just Right

"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Colossians 4:6, NASB).

It is pretty amazing how even a dash of salt can help a meal's flavors come alive. Salt also acts as a perservative for food. Much like salt to a meal, one element that is a key part of God's makeup is grace. It reveals the goodness and purity in Him. In Colossians 4:6, believers are encouraged to live out the grace God has shown us. This is the same grace that He offers others.

Consider salt that is mixed with other elements. In Biblical times, it is known that salt from the Dead Sea was mixed and sold with other impurities. It wasn't pure sodium, which gave it less flavor and made it generally less favorable. Disciples who lose their saltiness (grace) are not as effective witnesses of Christ as they could be. We can pray that when we speak, God helps us do so with grace, so others can see more of Christ, the One we love, serve and testify.

Do you remember a time when you were caught up in sin or a tough situation?
How did God help you out of it, or how did He walk you through it?
Let's remember to show others the kindness of Christ that drew us to Him. Also, let's pray for those who don't know Christ yet.

Lord, thank You for your grace. Help us be aware of our speech, and help us speak with the grace You show us. Father God, equip us to be outstanding witnesses for who You are. Help others on our mind, ones that don't know You, embrace the grace You offer through Your Son. Amen.

"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4, NASB).

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24, NASB).

Check out an acousitc cover of the song "Kindness" by Chris Tomlin, sung live by Greyson Sawyer here on YouTube. You can hear Chris Tomlin's version on YouTube here.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Researched with the help of Stephanie Carey.
Photo from www.naturaltherapypages.co.uk.

We look for opportunities

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Colossians 4:5-6, New American Standard Bible). 

Some translators note that "making the most of the opportunity" means "redeeming the time." It reminds me of "soaking up the moment." When we run across someone else who does not have a relationship with God, I pray that we are aware of times that God gives to us, to share with them who He is and how He wants us to have a relationship with us.

Moments like that, to share our faith with someone who doesn't know Him, are like open doors. Doors can be so unique, like the one pictured above. They can symbolize a way to welcome outsiders. Have there been times recently that you have seen an "open door" to share something about your faith in Christ? I pray that God gives us the wisdom to see how to respond to opportunities where we can welcome people into knowing our life-giver, Lord, and Savior - Jesus Christ.

A wise woman, who preferred to be called Sistah Pat, once wrote, "Ask God to show you the opportunities.  They are all around.  Be encouraged that God is still using the ordinary to do the extraordinary."

Lord, thanks for all You've done and for what You're doing in our lives. Help us see opportunities to share with others who You are. Lead us in making the most of those moments. Amen.

Verse and topic used for study from HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart by Jaye Martin (1999)

Photo of carved door found on artfactory.com  - inspiration from Chateau des ducs de Savoie, 16th Century France