Clarity: In Me As Me - Colossians 4:2-6

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-- that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

(Colossians 4:2-6 NCV)

I. In Christian Witness (Col. 4:2-6)
Paul was a prisoner in Rome, but this did not stop him from bearing witness for Christ. He tells believers how to be effective witnesses for Christ.

• A. Watch and pray.
  “Watch” carries the idea of being alert, praying with your eyes open. This truth first appears in Neh. 4:9, when the enemy threatened the Jews as they tried to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. “We made our prayer...and set a watch,” was Nehemiah’s solution; and it worked! Prayer is never a substitute for our own alertness. Christ teaches us that to watch and pray is the way to victory over temptation (Mar. 14:38). We should watch and pray for opportunities to witness and serve. Certainly Paul had his eyes open as he prayed for that Philippian jailer; when the apostle saw the man reaching for his sword, he cried out and stopped him (Acts 16:27-28). If each believer would pray for the lost, and watch for God’s open doors of opportunity for witness, we would win more people to the Savior.

• B. Walk in wisdom.
  “Them that are without” refers, of course, to the lost who do not belong to the Christian family. What a sad thing to be “without” — without Christ, without hope, without peace, without forgiveness! It is important that we Christians live wisely when among the lost, for unsaved people look at our lives and try to find things to criticize. 1Th. 4:12 admonishes us to walk honestly toward them that are without. What a terrible testimony it is for a Christian to be dishonest with an unbeliever! Far better for believers to suffer loss than to ruin their testimony and bring reproach on the name of Christ. We wonder what unsaved people think of Christ and the Gospel when the Christians they do business with fail to pay their bills or keep their promises.

• C. Have godly speech.
  The salt of holiness must always flavor our speech. Old Testament Jews used salt in their sacrifices, symbolizing purity and the preservation of that which is good. The Greeks called salt charitas — grace — because it gave flavor to things. Our speech must not be corrupt (Eph. 4:29); salt (God’s grace) holds back corruption. A thoughtless word of criticism, a questionable remark, an angry word — any of these could tear down in a minute whatever Christian testimony others have tried to build up. “Redeeming the time” (Col. 4:5) means “buying up the opportunity.” As Christians, we must be alert to seize every opportunity to witness for Christ and win others.

 “I’m Glad That’s Cleared Up!”  When you reconcile the reality that Jesus lives in you with the reality that Jesus works through you, it makes sense that people see Jesus as you.

(Outline from Warren Weirsbe's Expository Outlines)