29 September 2005 Devotion for Today “An Open Door” Colossians 4:2-3
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:2-3
The old proverb says that opportunity only knocks once. Another says that when God closes a door, he opens a window. These proverbs, although quite profound and may make good sense, are not to be found in Scripture. Another says that the “early bird gets the worm.” All three of these proverbs speak of the wisdom of taking advantage of opportunities when we have them, because we may never have them again. The problem with those kinds of opportunities is that one may not know when they are upon us to act on them until they are already gone. If we had but known when they were there, we might have acted in the haste that the proverbs tell us to act. But not all opportunities are like this. There are opportunities that God gives that have not yet been opened to us; opportunities that can only come by looking into the heart of God and asking for them in prayer.
This is why Paul tells the Colossians to continue earnestly in prayer so that God would open the door of opportunity up to him so that the Gospel could be preached. Paul had preached many times where inroads to the Gospel were very few. The situations in which he labored were difficult, if not hostile and some were even dangerous. Bringing Christ’s saving message is no easy trick, because it takes the Holy Spirit to open up and make alive a heart that is already dead in sin. We don’t just stumble along until we find an open door to share Christ. These doors must be opened by the Holy Spirit. And when we do have the opportunity before us, Paul tells us to redeem the time- that is make the fullest use of it for the glory of God. This is why he exorts us first of all to walk in wisdom who are “outside,” that is, outside the faith and take advantage of what ever time we have to be with them, looking for that open door- but being careful how we do it. That is why Paul also tells us to let our speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. I’ve known people who have some pretty “salty” language, but this is not what he is talking about. We ought to speak positively, circumspectly, and reverently- reflecting a holy and pure lifestyle that brings glory-not a reproach- upon the name of Jesus Christ. Just because people do not ask us questions does not mean they are not asking them in their hearts. And our attitude, our conduct answers them back.
What does the way we spend our time, our speech, and our attitude say about the grace of God working in our lives. Is there an opportunity for the Gospel before you today? Seek God’s wisdom in carrying it out. Have a blessed day!
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