Paul is wrapping up this letter with what he wants us to remember. We've taken off that old dead body and put on Christ, now we are to be in constant communication with God as His children.
(2) Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;
We need to pray continually, aware of God hearing us, being thankful for all He has done, is doing, and will do in and through us.
(3) praying at the same time for us as well, that God would open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
(4) that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
Paul asks them to pray for him, too, as he realizes his dependence on Christ to preach clearly so that his hearers can understand. He is in prison because of his preaching, and he doesn't want circumstances to diminish the power of the words he speaks.
If even Paul feels the need to ask for prayer, how much more do I need it. Pray for me, too, so that I will write this blog with clear dissemination of God's Truth that will help my brothers and sisters to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(5) Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.
We need to pay attention to how we interact with those who may not yet know the Lord. We only have a limited amount of time, so we need to use what we have to the best advantage.
(6) Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
Our mouth gets us into the most trouble, so we really need to watch our words. Take a moment to think how your hearer may understand the words you use, and don't "think out loud" before considering it. Make sure your attitude toward the person is one of seeing them as Christ sees them, as a precious little child who needs to be guided, who may be a spiritual embryo who needs to be brought to the birth.
God chose the human race to be His children, and he is not willing that any would perish, but that they all would come to repentance (I Peter 3: 9). We need to be those who will gently inform them of how much God loves them, to give them the opportunity to turn to Him.
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10: 14).We as His children are the preachers who Jesus has sent to tell of our witness of what He has done for us (Matthew 28: 18-20, the Great Commission). We don't have to be pastors, we just need to know how to share what we know, how Jesus saved us and can save them, too.
If the blood of the Lamb of God has cleansed you, then you have a testimony to share with others. John writes about Christians who overcame all opposition, because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death (Revelation 12: 11). This is what our Lord asks of us.
O my Father, please show Your children how compassionate You are to this whole sorry human race. There are so many who are fighting against You, being deceived by the devil, who only wants to steal, kill, and destroy. Father, teach us the words to say to our neighbors and coworkers, and even the members of our own families who don't yet know You.
O Father, send us out, send out Your children to confront all those who are still spiritual embryos, seeking to approach the birth into Your family. Enable us to broadcast Your love to the whole world, Father. Everyone must have the opportunity to turn to you. Every person needs to be able to make an informed decision whether to accept or reject Your offer.
Then every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
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