Talking with Non-Christians
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 Colossians 4:5,6
‘Be wise in the way you act’ (4:5) is literally ‘walk in wisdom.’ Practically this means following Christ as God’s pattern for full and authentic Christian living. Their lives are to reflect this wisdom ‘toward outsiders.’ Paul knew only too well (1 Corinthians 10:32) the importance of not giving the world any reason to criticise or gossip about the behaviour of Christians. A blameless life opens the door for the gospel to be listened to. We are to ‘make the most of every opportunity.’ The verb means ‘buying up’ in the sense of snapping up a bargain. This is how we must use every opportunity. Paul is wanting to emphasise that, while the church had the opportunity to witness, they should make the very most of it
‘Let your conversation be always full of grace’ (4:6). The word ‘grace’ has the possible double meaning of God’s grace and human graciousness, ‘seasoned with salt’ (4:6). The metaphor was common in the ancient world. Paul knew that a tedious monologue was useless in evangelism. Christians were to work at making their witness interesting and colourful, while still making sure that ‘you may know how to answer everyone’ (4:6). ‘Answer’ implies that outsiders will ask Christians about their new life. Every question has to be answered carefully and humbly. We can win the argument but lose the person. If we don’t know the answer we need to be honest enough to say so. Our conversations must not only be making ‘the most of every opportunity’ but suited to the person or people we are speaking with. One size doesn’t fit all.
Jesus promised His disciples that when they needed to defend their faith in the courts, He Himself would give them ‘words and wisdom’ (Luke 21:15). Those who debated with Stephen ‘could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke’ (Acts 6:10). The Acts shows how carefully Paul answered his accusers in Roman and Jewish courts. The importance of responding rightly about our faith is not only spoken of in the Gospels ((Mark 13:11; Matthew 10:11) but by Peter in 1 Peter 3:15 ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’
Apologetics is the term used for the defence of the gospel. God has raised up many able apologists in the body of Christ today. Familiarise yourself with their writings, particularly with books and articles presented in question and answer form. Google can be an invaluable tool as well in getting hold of solid defences of the gospel.