You have a chance today to make a real, permanent difference in the life of someone who does not share your love for God. Answer this question for yourself – What difference has your love for the Word of God made in your life? Do you find yourself more confident, more relaxed, and less stressed? Can you imagine getting through life without it? Don’t you want to be an example of what being a Christian is really like? Look at this passage.

Colossians 4:5

5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders (the Greek actually says those that are “without”), making the most of the opportunity.

We all know where this wisdom comes from:

Proverbs 15:33

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,

And before honor comes humility.

It starts with humility – a recognition of how much you need the grace of God. Then comes the fear (the word doesn’t mean scared, but respect and AWE!) of the Lord. That brings you to the instruction, where the wisdom is.

As you gain this wisdom, you will realize that every contact with another person is an opportunity to express what the grace of God is doing for you, and to reflect what the Christian life is really about. Here’s another passage that talks about the same principle:

Ephesians 5:15-16

15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,

16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

The word translated “time” in verse 16 is the same word that is translated “opportunity” in Colossians 4:5 above. It is the Greek word KAIRON, and it doesn’t just mean time, but a time that is set and certain, an occasion, or an opportunity.

We have to realize that every moment, every occasion, every encounter with other people, is a once in a lifetime opportunity that will not happen again. Be careful how you live your life as a Christian, knowing that each moment is an opportunity.

In Colossians 4, the next verse gives us one example of how to be careful about each moment of opportunity.

6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

When you have wisdom and understanding about the grace of God in your life, what you say will be controlled by grace, and you will have the right thing to say to each person in every circumstance.

Be careful not to miss your opportunities today.