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Together in Christ: 'Transforming Our Talk to Bless Unbelievers' — Colossians 4:5-6 Tuesday, January 30, 2024 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. — Colossians 4:5-6 NLT Key Thought As James, the half-brother of Jesus, reminded us in his short training document for Christians, we need to pray for wisdom to live in a world of unbelievers, many of whom are often hostile to faith. [1] As followers of Jesus, the goal of our speech isn't to win arguments or "one-up" an unbeliever with our keen insights. Instead, our goal is to win the hearts of people to Jesus! We don't want to waste any opportunity we have to influence someone to come closer to the Lord. [2] We want what we say to be gracious in the way we say it and make the message of Jesus understandable and attractive to others. [3] What Paul wrote to the Colossian believers centuries ago aligns with many of the principles Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount and Peter emphasized to believers facing imminent persecution. [4] We are to be preservative salt to a world in decay and light to a world in darkness. [5] To live this way for Jesus in our troubled world is not easy. This kind of redemptive lifestyle requires our attention to, and intention with, what we do and say and how we do and say it. The result, however, is leading people out of darkness into God's glorious and gracious light! [6] [1] James 1:1-6. [2] Colossians 4:2-4; Ephesians 6:18-20. [3] 1 Peter 3:15-16; Titus 2:10. [4] Matthew 5:38-48; 1 Peter 2:9-17. [5] Matthew 5:13-16. [6] 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 1:18; 1 Peter 2:9-10. TODAY'S PRAYER Almighty God, I confess to You what You already know: I am sometimes fearful and hesitant about what I should say and how I should say it when people are critical of my faith. I need the help of the Holy Spirit to speak kind and true words that reflect the nature of Jesus. I don't want to push anyone away because of my attitude, words, or behavior. Please use me to be Your light to my friends in darkness. In the name of Jesus, and for the sake of my friends who need Jesus, I pray. Amen. RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS 1 Peter 3:13-17 Ephesians 4:29-32, 5:1-2