connecting

Colossians 4:5-6

Live wisely among those who are not believers,

and make the most of every opportunity.

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive

so that you will have the right response for everyone. (NLT)

Conduct yourself with wisdom in your interactions with outsiders (non-believers),

make the most of each opportunity [treating it as something precious].

Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant,

seasoned with salt,

so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you]. (Amplified)

Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers.

Use your time in the best way you can.

When you talk, you should always be kind and wise.

Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. (ERV)

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. (ESV)

Be wise in your behavior towards non-Christians,

and make the best possible use of your time.

Speak pleasantly to them,

but never sentimentally,

and learn to give a proper answer to every questioner. (J B Phillips)

Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders.

Don’t miss a trick.

Make the most of every opportunity.

Be gracious in your speech.

The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation,

not put them down,

not cut them out. (The Message)

 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders;

make the most of every opportunity.

Let your conversation be always full of grace,

seasoned with salt,

so that you may know how to answer everyone. (NIV)

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. (NKJV)

Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community;

make the most of every moment and every encounter.

When you speak the word, speak it gracefully (as if seasoned with salt),

so you will know how to respond to everyone rightly. (The Voice)

Ya know, no matter how ya translate it (The Message is the only paraphrase) these 2 verses say the same thing...

When it comes to people who are not following Jesus, aren't Christians, are non- believers, or how ever we want to quantify it, it would seem our attitude should be a positive one – gracious, gentle, kind, or loving.

Am I correct on this, or did I miss something?

Unfortunately, that is not how the world sees us these days.

I was reading just this week that currently, when people are asked to describe what is a word they associate with Christians, the majority said, “mean”.

(No, I don't remember where I read that – I read so much stuff during a week.)

Whatever happened to “they'll know we are Christians by our love” thing?

When did we switch from trying to love people into a relationship with Jesus to kicking their butts into the kingdom?

When did we stop trying to connect with people solely to point them to Jesus & started judging them, condemning them, & emphasizing they're going straight to hell if they don't straighten up & fly right?

How many of us would be in a relationship with Jesus if we had some of those negative experiences with Christians?

I doubt I would be one. I was looking for someone to love me.

It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, not ours.

It is God the Father's job to judge, & Jesus' job to redeem.

Our job is to love.

So I guess as we go out into our worlds today, maybe we should project the attitude that was extended to us – that we love & care about those who as yet have a connection, a relationship with Jesus.

That's a pretty tall order, considering how unlovable some folks can be.

But then, I sure one or two people felt the same way about us before we hooked up with Jesus! ;-)