MAKE JESUS VISIBLE, MAKE JESUS AUDIBLE
Introduction
Have you ever noticed how much first impressions matter? Imagine you walk into a new room or meet someone at work for the first time. Before you even get to explain who you are, people are already forming opinions based on how you act, how you speak, how you’ve dressed, even the smallest details. Our lives, whether we realise it or not, are always sending a message. The question is, what message are people receiving about Christ through us?
The way you live and the way you speak often say more about your faith than the songs you sing in church or the verses you post online. Sometimes, your actions and words may be the only “Bible” someone around you ever reads or the only “gospel” they ever hear.
The truth is, living out our faith before those who don’t believe can be challenging. How do you respond to someone who mocks Christianity? How do you use social media in a way that reflects Christ? How do you balance kindness with boldness when friends ask hard questions? [State purpose]
Background to the text
This morning, we are considering Colossians 4:5–6: “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Announce/Remind of the Text)
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Colossae while he was in prison, likely in Rome. The Colossian believers were facing pressures from false teachers who mixed Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy and mystical practices. In the midst of this confusion, Paul reminded them that Christ is supreme and sufficient. In his closing words, he gives practical instructions for how they should live out their faith, especially before non-believers. (Historical Background)
Colossians 4:2–6 is Paul’s final set of exhortations. He first calls the church to pray faithfully (vv. 2–4), and then he turns to their witness before outsiders (vv. 5–6). Our verses belong to this second part, where Paul shifts the focus from his mission to the everyday mission of all believers. (Textual Background)
The book of Colossians is an epistle, a letter written to teach and instruct. Verses 5–6 contain two imperative instructions: one about conduct (“walk in wisdom”) and one about conversation (“let your speech be gracious”). These commands are practical applications of the gospel-centered life Paul has been teaching throughout the letter. (Literary Background)
Our text can be divided into three parts:
1. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, demonstrating Christ in action (v.5).
2. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, demonstrating Christ in words (v.6).
3. So that you may know how to answer each person, demonstrating Christ in readiness and engagement (v.6).
So, here’s the heart of our text: Paul is teaching believers to live wisely before outsiders and to speak graciously, so that every interaction points people to Jesus.
A. DEMONSTRATE CHRIST IN ACTION
1. Be intentional in conduct: How we walk before outsiders demonstrates our faith. Our daily conduct before outsiders either commends Christ or contradicts Him.
That is why Paul exhorts, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders” (v.5).
The word “walk” refers to lifestyle. It’s an ongoing, visible way of life. “Outsiders” refers to those not yet in the faith. Our walk is their window into the gospel.
Wisdom here isn’t just being smart; it’s living God’s way. Walking wisely means living in such a way that our behaviour attracts people to Christ rather than pushing them away.
You know how a billboard on the road catches your eye and gives you a message in just a few seconds? In the same way, people around us ‘read’ our lives in moments. What they see in us can either point them to Christ or away from Him
What message does your lifestyle send? Do your neighbours, colleagues, or relatives see consistency between what you believe and how you live?
2. Make the best use of time: Use opportunities wisely to influence others positively (v.5). Wise living means seizing opportunities to bear witness for Christ.
That’s why Paul adds, “making the best use of the time” (v.5).
The phrase literally means “redeeming the time”, buying back moments that might otherwise be wasted. Paul emphasises urgency and intentionality.
Opportunities to live out or speak about Christ can slip away if we are careless. Every day presents divine appointments, at school, work, shops, or even online, that may never return.
Imagine missing a train by 30 seconds. You can’t get that time back. In the same way, missed opportunities to witness often cannot be reclaimed.
How can you better use your daily interactions for kingdom impact?
B. DEMONSTRATE CHRIST IN WORDS
1. Always gracious: Words should be kind, gentle and considerate in every conversation. Our speech must consistently reflect Christ’s grace.
“Let your speech always be gracious” (v.6).
Paul stresses “always”, not sometimes, but in every situation. “Gracious” means speaking with kindness, showing respect and carrying a spirit of generosity toward others. Paul is asking us to always speak graciously.
Words can heal or harm. When we speak graciously, we echo Christ, who was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). This doesn’t mean being fake or flattering but speaking with gentleness and compassion.
Proverbs 16:24 says, “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Just as water refreshes a weary traveller, gracious words refresh weary hearts.
How do people feel after talking with you, encouraged or drained? Do your WhatsApp messages, workplace conversations or family interactions sound gracious?
2. Seasoned with salt: Speech should be engaging, thoughtful and impactful to convey truth effectively (v.6). Our words should not only be gracious but also impactful.
Paul writes, “seasoned with salt” (v.6).
In the ancient world, salt preserved food and made it flavourful. Paul uses this image to describe speech that is lively, appealing and effective.
Our words should carry both truth and grace, preserving relationships and making people thirsty for more. Speech without salt is bland; speech with too much salt can be harsh. The balance is Spirit-led speech that draws people closer to Christ.
Think of food without salt! It tastes flat. In the same way, conversations without grace and truth leave no lasting impact.
Do your words invite further dialogue about faith, or do they shut down conversations? Is your speech bland and forgettable, or is it seasoned with the truth and love of Christ?
The reason: Readiness for the gospel
The reason we need to have our speech seasoned with salt is so that we are ready to answer each person wisely.
Paul links gracious, salted speech with readiness, because gospel conversations are personal, not generic. Readiness means discerning each person’s needs and responding thoughtfully, not with rehearsed clichés.
1 Peter 3:15 reminds us, “Always be prepared to give an answer… with gentleness and respect.”
Jesus didn’t answer the Samaritan woman the same way He answered Nicodemus. He listened, discerned, and spoke words suited to each heart.
So it is important to train your heart to listen carefully before you speak. Then, when opportunities arise, ask God to guide you so your words will be Spirit-led, pointing people to Christ rather than shutting them down.
Are your responses thoughtful, prayerful and Christ-reflecting? How can you prepare yourself daily, through Scripture, prayer and reflection in order to be ready for such moments?
CONCLUSION
Paul reminds us that every step we take and every word we speak is a witness to Christ.
• We saw that this means walking in wisdom before outsiders and making the best use of time.
• It means speaking with grace and seasoning our words with salt.
• And it means being ready to answer each person with truth and love.
So what does this look like in your world?
• At college or the workplace, choose your behaviour carefully. Your classmates and colleagues are watching more than you think.
• On social media, let your posts and comments reflect grace, not sarcasm or criticism.
• At home, speak to your parents and siblings with kindness, even when you feel frustrated.
• With friends, use opportunities in conversations, not to argue, but to gently point them to Jesus.
You’ll not be able to do this with your own strength. So, I urge you to begin each day with a short prayer, “Lord, help me walk wisely, speak graciously and respond thoughtfully today.”
So today, let me leave you with this: “Live wisely. Speak graciously. Point people to Jesus”
I worked with a non-profit organisation for almost 10 years. Our work reached nearly every state in the country, with staff serving right at the grassroots. But because of the political climate in India, our staff could not openly talk about Jesus or share the gospel publicly. Instead, they had to let their lives be the message. And it was amazing to see how many of them, simply by the way they lived, with integrity, compassion and Christlike love, were able to draw people to Christ. No Bible in hand, no sermon preached, just a life that reflected Jesus!
That’s exactly what Paul is calling us to in Colossians 4:5–6: to walk in wisdom before outsiders and let our words be gracious, so that every interaction becomes an opportunity to point people to Christ.
If you walk in wisdom, speak with grace, and engage with readiness, Christ will shine through you, and people will be drawn to Him.
