KJV
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without (outside - NKJV), redeeming the time.
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man (each one - NKJV).
NIV
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.
TCNT
Show tact in your behavior to the outside world, making the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation always be kindly, and seasoned, as it were, with salt; that you may know in each case what answer you ought to give.
Why is this such an important and urgent consideration?
Deacon Juni: "If there ever was a time to . . . the time is now."
Pastor Bob: "Now is the time to . . . because not many days hence . . . "
Deaconess Bilinda: "Tomorrow is not promised to us."
We have no time left to waste. It is high time for us to redeem the time.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Now is the day of salvation.
Ephesians 5:15-18 Walk circumspectly. Redeem the time. Be not unwise. Be filled with the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 7:29 The time is short.
Revelation 1:3 The time is near.
Revelation 12:12 The devil having great wrath, knowing his time is short.
John 4:35 The fields are ripe, the harvest is ready.
And the time is short.
How many are there right now who may be thinking in their hearts what the prophet Jeremiah expressed so many years ago:
Jeremiah 8:20 "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want anybody to go to hell because I didn’t take the opportunity given to me to invest a little time to tell them about Jesus Christ!
There are 5 points of instruction in Colossians 4:5-6.
I. BE WISE. (Proverbs 4:5,7; 9:10; 11:30; 14:27)
A. The principal thing is to get wisdom.
B. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
C. Winning souls is a result of and an evidence of wisdom.
II. BE READY. (1 Peter 3:15-16)
A. A good heart.
B. A good conscience.
C. Good conduct.
III. BE KIND. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
A. Be gentle.
B. Be patient.
C. Be humble.
IV. BE KNOWLEDGEABLE. (2 Timothy 2:15; 3:14-17)
A. Know your teachers.
B. Know the Scriptures.
C. Know the LORD.
V. BE RESPONSIVE. (2 Timothy 4:1-5; James 2:14-17; 5:13-16,19-20;
Mark 12:29-31; Galatians 6:10)
A. Preach the Word.
B. Fulfill your ministry.
C. Respond to needs.
Conclusion:
2 Corinthians 5:20;
2 Corinthians 6:1-2;
Luke 4:22,32,37.
