Benevolence springs from who we are in Christ. Edification is the building up of and teaching truth to everyone around us so that we can get to our third main value as Christians: evangelism. We can not, however, share the good news with others unless we are the type of people from whom the gospel can be received. In the close of his letter to the Colossians, Paul gives us great insight into this:
Colossians 4:2-6
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.
4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
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.
- We are to be devoted to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Prayer is essential for open doors and for a clear proclaiming of the good news.
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We must be wise toward the lost, knowing our audience and making the most of every opportunity that God gives us. We must also pray that God would open our eyes to recognize them as they come before us and for the wisdom, which God gives to us if we ask, to know what to do with the opportunities when He gives them to us.
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Finally, we must watch our words to answer everyone well. They must be full of grace or, like tasty food that people would want to eat, seasoned with salt. Salt also creates thirst–in this case spiritual thirst.
How are you prepared to share the gospel?
I am thankful to know of your site. Your thoughts are excellent.