We should grab hold of every opportunity we can to let the fragrant scent of the fruit of the Spirit envelope outsiders. We should leap at the chance to show what gracious, uncomplaining, self-sacrificing love looks like by going the extra mile to help someone in any way we can. We should be the kindest, most joyful people on our street, in our class, in our office.

Colossians 4.5-6 are two of the most helpful verses I know for giving Christians teaching about evangelism. It’s amazing how much Paul packs into just a few words. Verses 3-4 describe how missionaries and preachers are to declare clearly the mystery of Christ to unbelievers, but evangelism is not just for the ‘professionals’. In verses 5-6 he tells his readers how they are to relate towards ‘outsiders’—non-Christians who know nothing about the gospel.

Conduct yourselves wisely towards outsiders… (v5) Literally he says “Be wise in the way you walk towards outsiders.” Paul uses the word “walk” 32 times, and almost every time he is describing our normal everyday lifestyle. All Christians evangelise by our day to day living. If you’re going to be an effective personal evangelist, a godly lifestyle is essential.

These outsiders that Paul has in view had never read Bible or attended a church. The only way they would know what Christianity was like was if they saw it modelled in the lives of these Colossian Christians.

It may well be that many of us are the only real Christians around the ‘outsiders’ in our workplace, neighbourhood or family. They don’t have the first clue about Christianity and they desperately need to see consistent examples of Christians who wisely live out their faith.

But Paul wants more: we are to conduct ourselves wisely towards outsiders …making the best use of the time (v5).

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