Creator, Father, King #308

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

BEFORE ABRAHAM LINCOLN BECAME a great president, he was a great speaker.

In 1858, Lincoln and Stephen Douglas squared off for a series of seven now-famous debates throughout Illinois as they campaigned for a US Senate seat. Lincoln lost that election bid to Douglas, but his oratory skills were well noted. Within three years, he was elected America’s sixteenth president, and some of his speeches are regarded among the greatest orations in US history, such as the Gettysburg Address (1863) and both of his inaugural speeches (1861 and 1865).

Christians don’t have to be at Lincoln’s public speaking level. But speech is a powerful tool, and we are to use it wisely as we seek to spread the gospel. Look at what Colossians 4:5-6 says:

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

What’s It Mean?

If you are a Christian who tries to honor the Lord, that’s going to stand out to others. Somewhere, sometime, someone likely will ask you why you’re different. What are you going to say?

If you take Jesus’ great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) seriously and people have questions about Christianity, what are you going to say?

Do you know how to share your own testimony with others in a gospel-centered way? Do you know how to effectively share the good news of salvation through Christ to the lost, using Scripture (rather than your opinions) to make your points and answer people’s questions?

Each of these examples is what Colossians 4:5-6 is talking about. Evangelism is the responsibility of every believer, not just some elite special-ops team of outgoing super-Christians.

Initiate opportunities to share your faith and be ready for those whom God drops into your lap! When they come, share “gracious and attractive” words. Be ready to answer people’s tough questions. Don’t get defensive or try to win an argument. No one has ever argued an unbeliever into heaven! (See 2 Timothy 2:24-26.)

Follow Jesus’ example and offer them words of eternal life. Meet people where they’re at in the prayerful hope that they will turn to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

But whatever you do, know the gospel well and share it graciously!

Now What?

First Peter 3:15-16 is similar to today’s verse. Check it out!

Did You Know?

In each Lincoln-Douglas debate, the first man would open with a sixty-minute speech, the second man would follow for ninety minutes, then the first man would finish with a thirty-minute rebuttal. Phew!