One of Jesus’ final commands was to “make disciples of all the nations” (Mt 28:19), i.e., share the gospel. However, not everyone finds it easy to do. Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s uncomfortable and awkward. Thankfully, Paul, arguably the greatest gospel sharer of all time, offers a great tutorial in the book of Colossians.
Paul wrote his letter to the Colossian church while imprisoned in Rome (Acts 28:16-31). Though in chains, he continued to share the gospel and minister to others, such as writing letters to the Colossian, Ephesian, and Philippian churches.
Near the conclusion of his letter to the Colossian church, Paul appeals to them to pray for him—not for his release but for more opportunities to present the gospel. Paul’s experience illustrates that, no matter the circumstances, we always have opportunities to share with others what Jesus has done for us. We have no excuse.
Nevertheless, believers struggle to speak up. In Colossians 4:2-6, Paul teaches us five things we can do today to help us overcome our challenges.
The Gospel Starts with Prayer
The ability to share the gospel always begins with prayer. Not flippant or thoughtless prayer but earnest prayer.
“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” (Col 4:2, NKJ)
The Greek word for “continue” (proskartereo) in verse two means to persevere; be constantly diligent; steadfast; to act with courage, endurance, and strength, to “hold fast and don’t let go.” Paul further uses the word vigilant, meaning “to stay alert.”
Putting it all together, Paul instructs us to pray with utmost courage and endurance, staying alert constantly (around the clock), so that we can be sensitive to others’ needs.
Prayer is the foundation upon which a believer’s faith grows. The more we pray, the closer we draw to God, and He draws near to us. It is our lifeline through which our relationship with the Father can grow in maturity and intimacy. From that intimacy, the Holy Spirit begins working within us, enabling us to have the confidence to share the gospel.
“For my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9)
But our job is not yet finished. Even after sharing the Good News, we must continue earnestly praying for that person, perhaps even mentoring them. At the same time, we must maintain our vigilance, keeping watch for those in need of the Lord Jesus Christ. We never know when God will randomly put someone in our path,
Finally, Paul teaches us to pray with thanksgiving. A humble heart of gratitude, an essential component of effective prayers, remembers who God is.
He is the Father, the creator of everything in the universe, who sent His only Son to die in our place. When we remember who God is and what He has done for us, our natural response should be humility and thanksgiving.
“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name, for the LORD is good.” (Ps 100:4)
Keep Praying
Paul continues his instruction to pray in verse three.
“At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ.” (Col 4:3, CSB)
God often puts us in situations to share the gospel and expand the kingdom. Some people call these moments “divine appointments.” However, we can actively pray for God to provide these opportunities. Here in Colossians 4:3, Paul calls them “open doors.”
Open doors are a common concept in the New Testament, particularly in ministry (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12). When God opens a door, we have a unique opportunity to serve the kingdom. We only need to respond to God’s invitation.
Here, Paul prays that God would open a door for him to share the gospel where he is. Further, he prays that he can “speak the mystery of Christ.” The term “mystery” (found also in Col 1:26-27, 2:2; Rom 11:25; Eph 1:9, 3:3-9) usually indicates something that was previously hidden, but God has now revealed. In this case, the mystery is Jesus—His death and resurrection—and how believers have direct access to the Father when we pray (Mt 27:51; Mk 15:38; Lk 23:45).
The mystery also includes how Jesus has broken all barriers by allowing Gentiles into the kingdom of God. Because of His atoning work on the cross, all believers—Jews and Gentiles—are one in the church, and He dwells within each of them through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2; Gal 3:28).
Praying earnestly and remaining vigilant is only a start; we must take action. As James teaches, “faith without works is dead” (Jam 2:17). As we pray for others, pray, too, for God to open doors for you to share the good news of the gospel.
Taking the Gospel to All the Nations
It is the job of every believer to disciple others. This is why Paul, making his second point, says in Colossians 4:4,
“So that I may make it known as I should.” (Col 4:4)
Paul sets a perfect example for us. After he accepted Christ, he readily began his ministry, traveling thousands of miles across many countries. But God does not call everyone to be like Paul.
Nevertheless, we endeavor to make the gospel known wherever we are. Often, it begins in the local church, but it also extends to our neighborhood and home. After all, raising godly children is a highly noble form of discipleship. Talking to neighbors about Jesus, on the other hand, can be a challenging experience. But we can lay some groundwork first.
Our faith is not something to hide (Mt 5:16); it should be a regular part of conversation, something we routinely express. The more we mention it, the less shocking it becomes, and it opens doors for us to speak up.
We must resist the urge to knock on doors or approach people randomly in their driveways. Instead, our faith should be a natural expression of who we are, evidenced by how we talk and live.
Many people long to be a part of a faith community. Often, it only takes a willingness to be friendly, a genuine smile, and perhaps an invitation to go to church with you. You might be pleasantly surprised by how people respond.
However, not everyone is so receptive.
Act Wisely
“Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.” (Col 4:5)
Paul continues teaching in verse five to “act wisely toward outsiders.” Here, “outsiders” means nonbelievers. His words are imperative, meaning it is a command and not mere advice.
People who do not know Jesus sometimes fear or push away what they do not understand. Sadly, such misunderstandings or ignorance can lead to unpleasant outcomes, such as racism, hate, bullying, and worse. The news far too often publishes reports of Christians around the world losing their lives at the hands of ignorant and biased fanatics simply for following Jesus. Therefore, we must heed Paul’s warning to be wise. He repeated this message to the Ephesian church.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:15-16, NKJ)
As ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5:20), we represent the kingdom and all Christianity stands for. Therefore, as we establish the truth of God’s word, we must be careful to act wisely, speak truth in love (Eph 4:15), and be prepared for occasional rejection.
Salted Speech
Fourth, Paul illustrates how we should speak to unbelievers.
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt.” (Col 4:6)
Although some may scoff at the gospel, our response must always be patient grace. The definition of grace is “unmerited favor,” “goodwill,” and “mercy.” It does not matter how people speak to us, only how we respond. As kingdom representatives, God calls us always to reflect righteousness.
Further, our speech must be “seasoned with salt.” Salt not only adds flavor but also prevents decay. When we present the gospel, we should make it as appealing and beautiful as possible. In doing so, we add purity and truth to a decaying world, thereby preserving it until Jesus establishes His eternal kingdom.
But speaking with grace and salted speech sometimes means biting our tongues and keeping our cool when people reject us. Jesus teaches a better way.
Wipe the Dust
Jesus taught the twelve disciples to wipe the dust from their shoes if someone did not want to hear the gospel (Mt 10:14; Mk 6:11; Lk 10:11). Wiping the dust away is symbolic of knowing we have done what we could to share the gospel; we were obedient to His command. But if someone rejects it, we must realize it is not our fault and calmly walk away.
Ultimately, it is the work of the Holy Spirit to draw people to the gospel. We can only introduce people to it. Therefore, we must handle ourselves wisely, knowing that when people hear the gospel, they are accountable to the truth, and they will stand before the Lord for judgment one day.
Sadly, sometimes people do not want to hear the Good News, but we must still be obedient. So, if others reject the gospel message, we simply wipe the dust from our feet, walk away, and allow the Holy Spirit to take over.
Placing the Gospel in Your Heart
“That you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Col 4:6)
Finally, Paul teaches us the most essential part of sharing the gospel: we must know how to answer people when they ask questions. Peter gives a similar instruction in 1 Peter 3:15.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you.”
The singular best way to learn how to answer people is by reading God’s word. Study and familiarize yourself with it. We cannot know how to speak the gospel if we do not open the Bible and read it.
There is no one good way to read the Bible. Some people start at Genesis and work their way through Revelation, while others follow a “Bible in a year” reading plan, and still others select random books for in-depth study. For new believers, the books of John, Matthew, and Romans are all good places to start.
If you only read the Bible occasionally, consider recommitting yourself to a daily time of study, even if it is just five minutes. If you are a long-time Bible reader, don’t stop. Even after reading the same book fifty times, God will always reveal something new that feeds your heart and soul.
It is vital to place God’s word in your heart so that you disciple others and accurately respond to their questions, speaking with grace and kindness.
The gospel is the linchpin of our faith, and opportunities to share it are all around us. All we need is a little preparation. Pray earnestly, with thanksgiving, for God’s guidance, open doors, and wisdom. Study and meditate on God’s word. When the opportunity arrives, speak the truth with love and grace. If the person rejects you, calmly walk away, entrust them to the Holy Spirit, and get ready for another divine appointment.
Sharing the gospel can be uncomfortable at times. But you never know how you will impact someone’s life, so don’t be shy. Plant that gospel seed and watch what the Lord will do.
