Words of Salt

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Colossians 4:5-6 NHEB

Now Paul begins addressing our attitudes toward those who have not yet named the name of Christ. We are to dwell in God's wisdom among them and thus making the most of our time as we relate to them. 

The believer never has a "time-out" in reference to their life in Christ before the world. Our time-out comes as we relax in Him in our quiet time and among others in Christ. The traditional "let-your-hair-down-and-be-like-us" never is to occur for us. Our time as we live in this dimension of life is to always be lived "in-Christ." 1 John 4:17c says, "...for we are as He is in this world." The only way the world will ever want Him, is if we literally live "in Him." That means we always reflect Him and always respond in Him. 

This would be impossible if we are just in some form of church-going religion. However, because He is in our very being, our very fiber of existence, He in us is over and abundantly able. As we wrap our minds around His being, His Word and His empowerment He does it and makes our time here count. 

We cannot "redeem" as in "get back" what has already passed. What we can do is make our now time count for great fruit in Him. In other words, we make every minute with unbelievers count. 

Our speech is to be full of grace - or full of making up for the faults of others. Now just think about it. Isn't that what our Lord's grace does for us? He makes up for what we lack - abundantly - lavishes grace on us. So as our speech is full of the salt of good news and redemptive salvation as we share, then through those words they are drawn to Him. It tastes salty. They find themselves wanting more and then some water. Hummmm seems like we have that also. 

In the Old Testament every sacrifice was salted prior to going on the altar. That way the meat always tasted good. That is what Paul is referring to. In other words, our words are like the sacrifices of the Old Testament - they are to make people want more.