24 Aug September 24 Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE COLOSSIANS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHRISTIANS

Colossians 4:6 “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

Today’s devotional verse continues giving Christian’s instructions regarding giving a positive witness to their faith in Jesus Christ.  This instruction is a companion to Jesus’ exhortation in Acts 1:8, “. . . you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Verse 5 addressed your Christian witness through your behavior.  Verse 6 is concerned with your conversations with people. “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  Yesterday’s devotion emphasized the importance that you conduct yourself with others with love that you draw from Jesus.  Today’s verse again focuses upon your words being filled with love, care, and concern rather than harsh, judgmental, and condemning.  Remember, you love others because you have first been loved by God through His Son Jesus.

Your words should draw out the best in others and preserve good, healthy relationships, just as salt draws out the good taste of the food you eat and also acts as a preservative.  Carefully chosen words are essential to how they are received.  Careless words with a harsh tone of voice can cut like a razor-sharp knife.

The most priceless gift you can give to someone is the good news message Of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness of their sins and gift of everlasting life through Jesus Christ. You do not have to tell this message eloquently.  It can be stated as simply as it is proclaimed by children singing “Jesus loves, me this I know. . . “  Jesus said, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

Prayer:  Lord, guide and guard the words of my mouth that all I speak communicates clearly the message of your love for sinners and desire that all would be saved.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Jesus loves me!  This I know, For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong.  Refrain:

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me!

Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gates to open wide.

He has washed away my sin, Lets His little child come in.  Refrain:

(LSB 588)