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“Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity.”  Colossians 4:5 (NLT)

Confession time. I am way too often a very poor ambassador of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). Around my friends and church family? No problemo. Even in welcoming new people to church on Sundays, my attitude is love, grace, mercy—my desire is to reflect the Lord and glorify God in my thoughts, words, and actions. The sad truth is that my loss of these godly characteristics usually occurs amid more, um, public settings. It’s bad enough that my cruddy mood or sharp words may strike a fellow Christian who doesn’t know me…in fact, they likely may be thinking, “Good grief, that woman needs Jesus.” Oh, but what does that look like to unbelievers? They probably have some choice descriptors of me in their mind. Although the word isn’t used often these days, an accurate term would be “fool.”

In the aftermath of my foolish words or actions, as conviction kicks in hard, I often shudder at the thought of following up my behavior with, “So, are you a believer? Want to join me at church on Sunday?” Cringeworthy, am I right?

The Bible has a lot to say about fools and foolishness:

• A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back (Proverbs 29:11).
• A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion (Proverbs 18:2).
• The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good (Psalm 14:1).
• For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts… deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (Mark 7:21-22).

The opposite of foolishness is wisdom—walking according to God’s Word. In addition to the Psalms and other Old Testament books that are chocked full of wisdom advice, practically every book of the New Testament gives followers of Christ an “ambassador handbook.” A clear blueprint of the words to use, the behaviors to put on (and what to throw off), and the attitudes to embrace. (See all of Paul’s letters, as well as the books of James, John, and Peter.) In fact, because we are filled with the Holy Spirit upon salvation, when we truly yield to Him, His God-glorifying fruit will blossom (Galatians 5:22-23). Paul’s letter to the Colossians, for instance, is a great study on who we are in Christ and how to walk. It’s in chapter 4, verses 2-6, however, that the Lord reminds us of how our conduct around unbelievers—if wise—provides us with gospel opportunities. And if that coin is flipped, acting as the fool leads to lost opportunity. Or worse, giving God—my King who I represent—a bad name.

Oh, sweet friend, aren’t you thankful for the unending mercy, grace, and forgiveness of the Lord? I sure am. And as much as I know it breaks His heart when we don’t act wisely (or my speech is not “seasoned with grace”), He always gives us the chance to honor His Name…to “make the most of every opportunity.” In that same section of Colossians, Paul even exhorts us how: (1) We devote ourselves to prayer; (2) stay alert—keep our eyes open to what God is doing around us; (3) maintain an attitude of thanksgiving; (4) walk wisely; and (5) season our words with the grace we’ve been given. That “opportunity” presented to us may just mean being a conduit through which God brings salvation. I don’t know about you, but I want to be that kind of tool for the Lord…not a fool.

“Lord, keep my eyes open to what You are doing around me. Give me the wisdom and words to make the most of every opportunity for Your glory.”

For Your Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life