Interactions are a witness

Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
"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."

 Almost all of us have some sort of conversation on a daily basis. Most of us also go out into public on a regular basis. We hardly recognize the significance of these actions. There are times where I meet people and walk away thinking how hateful they act. I have failed in abundance to ask them if they go to church somewhere. I have been guilty of being blunt and not seasoning my words with salt as we are called to do. We have all heard the saying, "think before you speak."

 Let us examine both sides. You never know when an interaction may lead someone to Christ. Also you never know who is watching or listening in on the interaction, someone may observe you and be led to Christ. On the flip-side, your interactions with others can most definitely turn people away from Christ. When I worked as a waiter, the worst tippers, and most hateful customers that I dealt with came in after church on Sundays. Many co-workers who were unsaved, had a negative opinion of church goers at the time. When people say they are Christians, yet are rude, inconsiderate, and disrespectful, it turns people away from church, from Christ.

 We should act as we are called to earlier in chapter 3; compassionate, kind, with humility, gentle and patient. Taking that into consideration, when interacting with others we need to apply these characteristics in order that we can make the most of every situation. During conversation, we are to make what we say more palatable to those who we are speaking. With grace, patience, kindness and all of the other characteristics we should listen. Try to understand their point of view. When we respond it should not be harsh, "you are wrong," "you are an idiot," "that is the dumbest thing I've heard," "you are going straight to hell." We are to be gentle, see where they are coming from, explain God's love for them, and what the Bible teaches us.

 Challenge: Examine your actions and be conscious of your tone and demeanor. Make the most of every interaction. "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Listen to others and respond in a way that would glorify Christ.
  
“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)

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