Outsiders

            Oops, somehow, I managed to not post this on 5/9 as I should have. I'm sorry. Here it is.

                 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6)

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. (I Corinthians 12:28)

Outsiders. Generally, we think of those not part of our family, group, community, denomination, or country. Those distinctions are sometimes more accurate than other times, but with the Colossians passage in mind, as I prayed for the Church this morning, it came to mind that there are informal distinctions, sometimes not even recognized, that can also be important. I’m going to stick a plea to be wise and kind, with conversation filled with grace when it comes to humor – because many people think they’re being funny when they’re hurting others.

 Humor is not the main focus today, however. The point that came to mind is that we tend to honor certain gifts. Apostles, prophets, and pastors are highly prized. We’re all told we should be one of those, or evangelists, or generous benefactors. The exact task in which we are supposed to excel changes from person to person, but there’s always that sense of expectation. You should be doing this. This is what we need. And if you don’t do it, you become an outsider. You may be tolerated, but you’re a misfit.

If we are to be wise in our actions toward true outsiders and make the most of every opportunity, we need to be as wise in our actions toward those who aren’t quite our picture of a “proper Christian.” We should let our conversations always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, and speaking the truth in love so we know how to answer everyone, including them.