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June 7, 2022

Colossians 4:5-6

5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

New International Version (NIV)

I once heard John Piper say that some of his best friends lived 500 years ago during the Reformation. N. T. Wright would probably say his best friends lived in the first century. He has studied Jewish thought in the first-century world where Jesus and Paul lived. This week, after two postponements in 2020 and 2021, I get to study with N. T. Wright and some of my best pastor friends who live in the twenty-first century.

What if the only part of the Bible we believe is the part we live? Watching the kindness of a fellow pastor to others this week, I saw Christ’s love in his words and actions. I can tell he walks with the Lord. This prepares him to walk well with others. Paul told the Colossians to walk in wisdom toward outsiders. Then and now, many of the people for whom Christ gave his life remain outside the church. The way we talk to them and interact with them may bring them closer to Jesus or drive them farther away.

What if our lives and speech were full of grace? Would it make people more or less likely to believe in Jesus? God will give us grace to answer others if we will listen to him. This is a time to show others a lot of grace for two reasons. First, others need grace in this troubling time in our world. Second, we do too. Let our speech be seasoned with salt because we are the salt of the earth. Salt makes a noticeable difference. So will we.

Pray with me:

Father, we thank you for your gracious words of kindness drawing us back to yourself. Teach us to speak to others with such grace that they take notice and wonder why we are the way we are. Give us the chance to boldly share God’s love with someone today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our 2022 Every Day with Jesus readings will cover the whole Bible in one year. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

2022 Reading Plan

We would love for you to join us as we read through the Bible this year. In addition, I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. As we journal together this year, Highlight a verse that stands out to you, Explain what it means, Apply that truth to your life and Respond to what you’ve read with an action or prayer.

Joyfully,
Duane

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Houston, TX | 77024 US

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