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Outsiders

By Ps Caleb Vautier

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:5-6‬

“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.”

Non-believers are often referred to as “outsiders” in scripture.

My urge to you today is to not run this race as an insider separating yourselves from those “outside”. There are often seasons early on as new Christians where you draw inward to the church, good teaching and like-minded friendships. This stage is what the writer of Hebrews refers to as relying on milk - learning the foundations of faith and your new identity in Christ. This stage of spiritual infancy is a beautiful stage but it is not supposed to be our destination. Through the process of sanctification where spiritual maturity takes place we should be sharing the good news of what Jesus has done for humanity to the world around us!

Statistics have just been announced that the leading age group of suicides in Australia is 15-32 primarily due to the overuse of drugs and alcohol. This tells me that the leading age demographic without hope appear to be young adults. The Church is the hope of glory pointing to the One who brings salvation, healing and freedom for the world. We are called and commissioned for a time such as this to bring the light of the gospel outside of our church walls. Not to be insiders, but as Acts 13 says, to be a light to all the gentiles (i.e all those who don’t believe).

So back to our origin scripture in Colossians 4; we are told to be wise in how we act toward others. People are listening and watching every move we make. There are opportunities everywhere if we will listen to the Holy Spirit and act boldly.

Paul goes on to say let your conversations be always full of grace, so that you may know how to answer everyone. One way I think we can best do this is by the example Paul demonstrates in 1 Corinthians 9.

1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:19-22

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” ‭‭

Would we learn the art of being able to relate and sit where others sit? Before we tell them what we believe or disagree and jump to conclusions too quickly… would we listen and ask questions? This opens up windows of trust and understanding that allows you to discern through the Holy Spirit how to speak into that person's situation bringing the message of Jesus to them in love and grace.

Jesus Christ - the Man who lived, breathed and died on a cross over 2000 years ago changes lives. Would we be confident and unashamed of this truth knowing it is the power unto salvation for those who don’t believe. As a young adult community, let’s strive to not merely stay as insiders, but instead through our week let’s be reminded Jesus spent more time in the streets with people than He did in the synagogues. We are outsiders.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you that you’ve graced us to influence our world and speak truth in love to the people around us. I pray we wouldn’t be so focused on ourselves that we lose sight of the people you’ve called us to reach. Give us the keys to being a worthy ambassador for Your Kingdom. Amen