Christian Respect || Colossians 4:5-6 || Manna for the Mind #210

Colossians 4:5-6

NASB	NLT	VOICE
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.	5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.	5 Be wise when you engage with those outside the faith community; make the most of every moment and every encounter.
6 Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.	6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.	6 When you speak the word, speak it gracefully (as if seasoned with salt), so you will know how to respond to everyone rightly.

In the world, we’re seeing more of a rise in different diversities and demographics. Christians may start to become the minority believe it or not. Studies from Barnham and Pew Research have shown the total number of Americans that have identified as Christians have dropped to 62-63% as of 2023, compared to 65% in 2018 and 78% in 2007. While this isn’t showing the bigger picture with all the factors accounted for, it is something to keep in mind. When we factor in the 62.5% that identify as Christians, it’s not a shift from Christianity to a different religion – we’re seeing a shift from Christians to unaffiliated Christians. People who do not want to be labeled as a Christian. 31% of people claim this, and the remaining percentage are people that label themselves as a different religion. This does not mean the world is going downhill, for many non-Christians do amazing work in caring for their environment and neighbor. The goal of Christianity is to make sure we care for God and neighbor, so we can have a place in Heaven and not hell. Christians want to make sure their loved ones will be joining them in heaven, hence why there’s a push. Again though, this does not mean we are heading in the wrong direction.

Paul and other believers in the early church were in the same spot we were as part of a small, new movement in the Roman Empire. How did Paul overcome this disparity? He taught his followers to be alert and smart, looking for opportunities to tell others about Jesus. Note that he didn’t say to go out and force it down everyone’s throat or use it to attack how people live because they are “sinning.” There is a time and a place, and we’ll find the nudge with the Holy Spirit says to move. We need to be both loving and creative than ever before in our interactions with nonbelievers, making the most of our opportunities to share Christ’s love. Sometimes we need to do it through our behavior and our compassion instead of our words and teachings. I have firmly believed that the more you act the Christ, the more people will see it, and when they ask you, “Why are you like this? (in either the right or wrong way)”  You can start to tell them about Jesus and who he is.

When well tell others about Christ, kindness counts. It’s not getting into a screaming match because you all don’t agree about something. It’s not about name calling people if they don’t believe in the same thing you believe. There are ways to have these conversations without bringing someone down. We love the meaning behind what we’re saying when we aren’t kind. I mean, think about it? When someone calls you a name, are you listening to what they say after that? Probably not. You are thinking, “How dare they call me that? Who do they think they are?” Just as we want to be heard and respected, we must respect others. You don’t have to like what they’re saying or like what they stand for, but you still have to treat them with respect. You still have to treat them like a human. You still must treat them as one of God’s creation.

Ephesians 5:15-16

NASB	NLT	VOICE
15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise,	15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.	15 So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise!
16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.	16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.	16 Make the most of every living and breathing moment because these are evil times.

By referring to these days as evil, Paul was communicating his sense of urgency because of evil’s activity. We need the same sense of urgency because today’s world is a difficult place to exist in right now. We must keep our standards high, act with wisdom and morality, and do good whenever we can. I often have the belief that positivity kills negativity. The more positivity that is showcased and committed in the world, the less negativity that will exist. We learn how to do this by watching who we’re surrounded by, and what we’re consuming. If we’re surrounded by positive outlooks and positive communities, the more that we’re internally ready to react with positivity. The more we do this, the more we defeat the negativity in the world. Now, there is such a thing as too much positivity. We must allow situations to exist as they are and feel the necessary emotions that the situation requires, but we must not continue to spew the negative side of the situation. We must allow God’s light to shine in the middle of the difficulties and allow that to be the motivation that carries us through to the other side.

1 Peter 3:15

NASB	NLT	VOICE
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect;	15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope a believer, always be ready to explain it.	15 but exalt Him as Lord in your heart. Always be ready offer a defense, humbly and respectfully, when someone asks why you live in hope.

Instead of being afraid of people, believers are to focus on Christ. This means regarding Christ as Lord in our hearts, where fear normally exists. Peter says to replace fear with faith and honor. By acknowledging Christ as Lord, we can rest in him and have no fear. It’s more than just simply proclaiming this, because we can proclaim anything. It’s how we embrace this truth. It’s how we use this truth to influence our confidence and strength. It’s how we use this truth to calm the thoughts that are running in our minds. When we honor him in our hearts, we have confidence that he controls events, reigns as King, and all powers and authorities must answer him at the end of the day.

Next slice of manna: Manna for the Mind #211