"Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time."
Colossians 4:5(ESV)
How should we act around outsiders? Is it all right to conclude there are outsiders? Shouldn't we include everyone and refuse to make distinctions? If they are outside, does that mean we are judging them as wrong?
We do live in a culture that increasingly presses toward eliminating distinctions. We seem so afraid of right and wrong we erase all lines of demarcation. This perverted sense of tolerance does nothing good in us individually or in society. We are innately aware of differences. We can't just close our eyes and wish everything were fair and just. The beauty of life as created by God is variety. Everything has a purpose and everybody has a place. Some things are wrong because they violate the design of creation. It is right and good to call them: wrong. The things that cooperate with God's design and move to exalt him are right. They should be identified and celebrated.
Paul the apostle lives with a keen awareness that some are in the community of faith and some are outside. They are outside, not because they have been arbitrarily cast away. They are outside because they have chosen not to believe in Jesus the Christ as the one mediator between God and mankind. They are welcome to come inside. If fact, we choose to act in such a way that would encourage them to come into the family of faith.
What does walking wisely mean? At the least it includes walking with an awareness of our opportunity to show them the treasure we have found in Christ. We are not putting on a performance to trick them to join us. We are being real. We are wise enough to know they seek authenticity. They don't want to join a party of posers. They see fakes all the time. They are looking for people who live real lives with real problems who have real peace and real joy. We can live out the implications of the gospel in their midst. We weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. We are honest in our dealings, not to impress them, but because that is who we are. We do our work well, not to show off, but to display our gratitude to God for allowing us to work on his earth with his gifts.
Walking wisely also includes recognizing that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ in them will not understand some of our perspectives (1 Corinthians 2:9-3:8). We cannot expect them to see what only eyes illuminated by the Spirit can see. That does not make us better, but it does give us another dimension to our perception. That must be considered when we relate.
Notice that Paul does not exhort New Testament Christians to exclude themselves from those outside. There is no need for isolation and physical separation. The salt of our conversation can make a difference only if we are involved. Wisdom is ours for the asking (James 1:1-5). As long as we are daily depending on his guidance for how we live among those outside the faith family, we will do fine. We cannot ignore the distinction nor our responsibility to represent our Lord well.
SYNERGY - Better Together: October 01, 2010 click for more > Five Pillars of New Testament Discipleship: : October 15, 2010 click for more > Family Reunion Retreat: December 03, 2010 click for more >
