Colossians 4:5-6 Evangelism

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. [Colossians 4:5-6 NKJV]

We have to be wise when dealing with non-Christians. Our behavior should be entirely beyond reproach. Paul said,

Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. [1 Timothy 3:7 NKJV]

Our fellow believers, out of love and grace are (hopefully) willing to overlook our character flaws, and to quickly forgive us when we stumble, or struggle with our faith. The world, on the other hand is quick to condemn what it perceives as hypocrisy. 

Even if the world is quick to condemn our flaws, we have no business condemning theirs.  Paul says,

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges.” [1 Corinthians 5:12-13 NKJV]

In the past, the church has often earned a reputation of being "holier than thou." Even today, many Christians stand on their soapbox, not to preach the gospel, but to condemn the sins of the world. The fact is, sinners will sin. It is their nature. And the solution for sin is not to condemn it, but to bring them to a knowledge of Jesus.

In the classical Greek literature of the first century, "salt" was a term that was used metaphorically to refer to wit, or wisdom. When we speak to non-believers, our speech should be with grace and wisdom. Jesus was a great example of this.

John 8 tells the account of a woman caught in adultery. The pharisees condemned her and prepared to stone her to death. Jesus famously said, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." We are then told;

Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” [John 8:9-11 NKJV]

Even though she was caught in sin, Jesus didn't condemn her. Neither did He condone her sin, but said, "Go and sin no more."

We should know how to answer each one that we speak to, and be ready to lead them to Jesus. Of course, not ever believer is a gifted evangelist, but we should all know how to evangelize. Most of us are not called to stand on a box on the street corner. Just be an obvious Christian, and be ready to answer their questions.

We should all know how to present a basic gospel, and lead a person in prayer for salvation. One tool for presenting the gospel in an evangelistic way is the "Four Spiritual Laws." It goes like this:

1. God has a plan for your life. 
   1. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. [John 3:16 NKJV]
2. Our sin has separated us from God. 
   1. for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [Romans 3:23 NKJV]
   2. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. [Romans 6:23 NKJV]
3. Jesus' death on the cross paid the debt for our sins.
   1. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [Romans 5:8 NKJV]
   2. that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [Romans 10:9-10 NKJV]
4. We have to respond by receiving Jesus
1. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: [John 1:12 NKJV]

You can lead them in this prayer;

Father, I confess that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I confess that Jesus is my Lord, and I believe that He has risen from the dead. Jesus, I ask you to live in my heart. I thank You for saving me.