What's Expected of a Christian? Print

Part 4 in a series on the book of Colossians.

Paul expected the believers in Colosse to be winners, so under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he writes up a game plan on how to live out their faith in a corrupt world.

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  1. Wear the designer clothes Jesus has for you.
    1. See Colossians 3:12-17
    2. Matthew 7:20
      Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.

  2. Do the best you can with what you have where you are at. This starts in the home and the workplace.
    1. Colossians 3:23
      Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
    2. Consider the example woman who anointed Jesus feet: Mark 14:8 She did what she could when she could—she pre-anointed my body for burial.

  3. Keep fit spiritually – pray.
    1. Colossians 4:2,3a
      Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Don’t forget to pray for us.
    2. Pray with consistency.
    3. Keep alert. Jesus said watch and pray, we need to do both.
    4. Be thankful.
    5. Have others pray for you.

  4. Conduct yourself with wisdom among those who don’t understand your faith.
    1. Colossians 4:5,6
      Be wise in the way you act toward those who are outside the Christian faith. Make the most of your opportunities. Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.
    2. Make the most of every opportunity.
      “Your opportunity of a lifetime must be seized during the lifetime of the opportunity.” - Leonard Ravenhill
    3. Ephesians 5:15,16
      Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
    4. Season your speech with salt. Everything you say should be kind and well thought out. Like salt this adds flavor and creates thirst.
    5. If you “live salty” people will ask questions.
    6. 1 Peter 2:15-17
      It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
    7. Be ready to give an answer.
    8. 1 Peter 3:15
      Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.