Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving…Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
(Colossians 4:2, 5–6)

Have no fear of those who persecute you, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
(1 Peter 3:15-16)

BIG IDEAS

• When Paul prays for boldness in preaching and sharing the gospel, he does not place the same expectation on the people of the church (Colossians 4:3-4). In other words, while Paul speaks regularly about how each person in the Church is gifted by God for the common good, he does not assume that everyone has the role of the evangelist/preacher.
• Both Paul and Peter have an expectation that every Christian would live a questionable life — so that the people around them will ask why they are different.
• Paul has in mind a particular, questionable kind of life among the people of the church (Colossians 3:1–17), in families (Colossians 3:18–21), and at work (Colossians 3:22–4:1).
• Peter has in mind submissive, compassionate, and understanding marriages, unity and support within the church family, and a hopeful graciousness towards those who slander Christians and who treat them unfairly and unjustly (1 Peter 3).
• In both cases, the underlying reason for our questionable lives is the new life we have in Jesus Christ. We have the fullness of God within us (Colossians 2:9–10) and we are holy (1 Peter 2:9).

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What do we discover about God from this passage?
2. What do we discover about humanity from this passage?
3. How should I respond to this passage? Considering my real-life personal circumstances, how can I live so that people would question the reason for my loving relationships and my hopeful graciousness?
4. Who has God put in your life that might be blessed to hear about this? When/how will you tell them? (If no one comes to mind, pray and ask God to show you if there is someone he wants you to share this with this week.)

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