“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
 Let your speech always be with grace seasoned with salt, that you may
 know how you ought to answer each one.”  Colossians 4:5-6

These verses are similar to 1 Peter 3:15 in that it speaks of our walk, our conduct, both in actions and words before non-believers.  The Apostle Peter tells us to be able to give an account for our hope with gentleness and reverence.  In today’s verses the Apostle Paul says that our walk should be ‘with wisdom toward outsiders making the most of the opportunity’ and our ‘speech always with grace.’

Scripture tells us that we are to walk in Christ likeness,
“He who says he abides in Him (Christ Jesus) ought to himself also walk just as He walked.”  1 John 2:6 (My parenthesis)

We all know the example Jesus gave His disciples by His actions in John 13:1-17.  (Read again what Jesus is telling us).  Verse 15 tells us why all Believers down through the ages have been and are included.
“For I gave you an example that you should do as I did to you.”
(My heart tells me that we are to lovingly serve one another.)

Paul tells us in Romans 15:5 (Read verses 1-6),
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.”

Then we have Paul’s heartfelt urging in Philippians 2:5-8,
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

He emptied Himself, humbled Himself and was obedient to the point of death.  Scripture tells us that we are to have this mindset!

The writer to the Hebrews tells us of Christ Jesus’ faithfulness to the Father in Hebrews 3:1-2,
“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him…”

Then the Hebrew writer tells us in 12:2 that Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, but He set His focus on the joy that was to come.
He finished the work that has redeemed us and reconciled us to God!  Therefore, our focus is to be set on Him who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

The Apostle Peter reminds us that Jesus suffered and He is our example in this too.  Peter is speaking here of suffering for doing right.  We are to patiently endure it for that finds favor with God.  (Read the account in 1 Peter 2:18-25)
“For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in His steps.”  1 Peter 2:21

As ‘works in progress’ let us seek to know our precious Lord and Savior in ways that we can not even imagine at this moment.  To know Him should be our heart’s burning desire.  May the verses we share today be a stepping off place into a deeper knowledge of Him who is our very life.
“…because as He is, so are we in this world.”  1 John 4:17

With grateful hearts we continually praise, honor, worship and give all glory to The One and The Only God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit!   Amen