Colossians 4:5. “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”
WISDOM AND REDEEMING. Wisdom doesn’t come easy! It is especially hard to know how to act toward those who are not saved. The easy way is to avoid confrontation and just blend in with what is around. However, they expect better of me, and I expect better of myself. To be offensive is to cut myself off from any positive influence. To be passive is not to be faithful. To be active is to appear less than genuine. To be wise is to be able to meet needs, be influential, and be authentic. And more than that, it is to be a walk, a continuous lifestyle that bears the stamp of authenticity even as the life of the Lord Jesus did when He was here.
To be one of those who are “without” means they are missing something. There is an inner place they are not a part of; a role they cannot fill; a work they are not involved in; a pleasure they do not enjoy. To be “without” includes being “without God, without Christ, without hope in the world.” Walking in wisdom toward these people is one of the greatest ways I can bring the blessing of the Gospel of Christ to them. They may not listen to me, they may not want me to talk to them, and they may avoid me, but if I walk in wisdom toward them, in God’s time, the opportunity will arise to speak of Christ. “Living Christ” is redeeming the time; speaking of Christ is redeeming the time; prayers of intercession are redeeming the time; acts of kindness are redeeming the time; being zealous of good works is redeeming the time. May I always be ready and available to respond to any and all opportunities to redeem the time!
“O Righteous Father, around me are people who are without. I am often not sure of how to approach them. Give me the wisdom that I lack. Give me the grace to seek the humility to get that wisdom. Help me to have a teachable spirit to get the wisdom I need. I need to learn to be sensitive to those close to me and those who are around me. I feel so hard hearted and self-centered that I don’t know how to act appropriately. I understand what the hymn-writer meant when writing… “I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord.” Amen."