Passages Devotional: Exploring Outside
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”Colossians 4:5
Stop and think of a situation where you were an outsider. How did you feel? What was going through your head?
The idea of being an outsider can be uncomfortable, so to think of people as outsiders feels harsh and uninviting.
The reality is those who have not entered into salvation through Jesus – the true “gate” to life (John 10:9) – are spiritual outsiders.
We were all outsiders at one point, and by the grace of the gospel, we have an opportunity to help the people around us – those that are near and far from God – experience what it means to be an insider with Christ.
Paul instructs us to be wise, making the most of every opportunity with outsiders. Though each situation is different, we begin by starting where they are, which requires us to explore.
To make the most of a situation, use questions to discern if a person is open to talk and to discover insights into their spiritual journey. With wisdom and genuine care, you will likely get to know the person better, deepen the relationship and have an opportunity to talk about Jesus.
Thought
The best way to discover where a person is spiritually is to ask.
Take a Step
Look over your 10+ List...
How well do you know the spiritual journey of the people on your list? Pick one whose journey you aren't as familiar with and pray for opportunities and boldness to know them better this week.
Pray for opportunities and boldness to get to know one person on your 10+ List better this week.
Bonus
READ: John 10:7-18 >>
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”← Previous
Day 2: Power Play
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Day 4: Divine Appointments
