Re: Think 11-30-08 (part 2)

Written on December 4, 2008 by Matt

This is a continuation of our conversation from yesterday concerning Colossians 4:5-6.  Yesterday we spoke of what the nature of a Transformed Walk looks like and today we turn attention toward Transformed Talk.

When I was going to college in Casper, Wy I remember attending a January Bible study at a sister church in our area.  I don’t really recall what the subject was, nor much else of what happened but what I do remember is something that Pastor Gary Hans said.  You have to realize Pastor Gary came to faith in Christ well into adulthood and later felt the call to serve God as Pastor of this small church.  Nonetheless his preaching cut straight to the heart when he said,

If your talking the talk and not walking the walk, you need to shut up!

There were shocked eyes (none more than his wife’s) and a few Amen’s sprinkled throughout the congregation.  Even though this is an incredibly true statement, I wonder how often we fail as believers to even talk the talk.  For all of our speak of relational methods of evangelism, the evangelism is left out, leaving us with anemic and purposeless relationship.  Paul in his letter to the Colossian church reminds them the key to “making the most of their time” is by speaking graciously and savouringly in order to answer each person.  Paul has effective evangelism in view here, desiring others to know the Christ whom he preaches through mouth watering speech.

I think it was O’Brien in his commentary on Colossians who asked,”When we speak about Christ are we speaking in a way that makes people’s mouths water?”.  That’s a powerful question.  Often as Christians we are known more for what we are against rather than speaking kind, gracious and life giving words.  Remember our mission is to be part of God’s mission in reconciling a lost and dying humanity back to Himself, and that requires having an answer for the hope that lay within us.

This week I challenge you to practice the 5-3-1 rule.  Meet 5 new people, have good conversations with 3 of them and tell 1 about the hope you have in Christ.  This may sound trite and simplistic, but if you fail to have a plan, you plan to fail.

What are some ways you endeavor to tell others about Christ?

Posted in Mission, Re: Think