
BE IN THE MOMENT
“Tell everyone God’s message. Be ready at all times to do whatever is needed.”
2 Timothy 4:2 ERV
When scripture speaks of time, the meaning will speak of quantity of time or quality of time. In the following passage Jesus uses the term for quality of time, meaning, this is a special time that we are in!
Jesus said as recorded by Mark (1:14-15 NLT), “‘The time promised by God has come at last!’ he announced. ‘The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!’”
CS Lewis suggested that God wants us to focus on two parts of our experience.
Our eternity. But if this is our only focus, we may never do any good on earth.
Our present. This is the time we’ve been given.
When we balance our eternal destiny and our present, it gives us a burden for people in our world and then to speak graciously into their hearts. This is perhaps what Paul meant by “make the most of every opportunity” in Ephesians 5:16.
Colossians 4:5-6 NIV
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
“Be
in the way you act toward outsiders (unbelievers)”
The Colossian Christians were cautioned to live in the wisdom of the Lord so that they didn’t give any credibility to the lies of slanderous accusations.
Be sure of this, the enemy is looking for that one misstep, one misguided word, or unintended act to show the world that believers in Jesus are not credible witnesses.
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8)
Shoot for truth, honor, rightness, purity, spiritually admirable.
Whatever is within the highest standards of God’s grace!
“Make
of every opportunity”!
Paul wrote to Ephesus these words, “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5:16-17).
Many of our friends, family, acquaintances or neighbors are living in a mountain of sin unable to reconcile debt on their own.
Colossians 1:19-20
“For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20and through him God reconciled everything to himself.”
2 Corinthians 5:16
“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.”
This is what the Lord wants us to do.
Take advantage of the time we have by living wisely, promoting the life of Christ through our testimony of word and example.
“Let your
be gracious and seasoned with salt”
Gracious conversation is marked by kindness and courtesy, and is characterized by generosity of spirit revealing the good nature of God’s love.
Seasoned with salt may mean that Christian conversation is to be marked by purity and wholesomeness.
“Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive (or winsome) so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 NLT
Because everyone needs the Lord!