Near the end of Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae, he encouraged the church to make friends for Jesus. He asked them to be people of prayer and to pray he would have an open door to communicate the Gospel. Then, he counseled the church to be wise in the way they dealt with outsiders, including gracious speech and conversation seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:2-6).
What can we do to really make friends for Jesus?
First, set an intentional goal to make friends for Jesus. You don’t accomplish much without intending to do so. Make this a goal for each day. What you think about and pray about and want to happen, you will do.
Second, pray for God to bless you and help you make a friend for Jesus. Ask Him to go before you and open the doors for you. I often tell God I am not very good at knocking down doors. I ask Him to open them for me. Notice that Paul asked the Colossians to pray for Him that He might have open doors of opportunity.
Amazing! He did not ask the Colossians to pray for better food, more outside time, or even release. He asked for prayer for an open door to communicate the Gospel.
Third, take every opportunity to make friends for Jesus. Opportunities abound. Take advantage of each one. Paul called on the Colossians to seize the opportunity. Like a commodities trader, Paul encouraged the Colossians to corner the market on love, faithfulness, and evangelism.
Fourth, let your light shine before men. While your good nature and kind demeanor will not get anyone into heaven, it will give an example of Christian love and kindness many people need to see (Matthew 5:14-16).
When Martha and I were students at New Orleans Seminary, we walked into the National Food Store for the first time ever. As we moved through the checkout line, the cashier said to Martha: “You’re from the seminary, aren’t you?” Martha later said she thought she must have left a name tag on or something. She hadn’t, of course. The cashiers simply spotted seminary folks by their kind disposition. Employers looked for seminary students because they were honest, worked hard, and were dependable. That is letting your light shine.
Fifth, when God opens a door, walk through boldly. Pledge to Him your faithfulness, and give your best to make friends for Jesus.
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One Response
When we pray “in Jesus Name, Amen.” We are praying, as I seek to offer myself in a “Reasonable Service,” a “Living Sacrifice,” I realize I am taking upon myself the Character of the One who Loved me enough to give Himself for me; before I ever in my ‘experience knowledge’ of life knew Him. Yet, He offered Himself that I may have Fellowship with the Father through Him. Such a Fellowship prompted a song writer to proclaim: What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our griefs and sins to bear, what a privilege it is to carry, everything to God in Prayer.
Yes, make friends for Jesus, keep His Bride spotless and pure. An awesome task!
I shared Sunday with my Sunday School Class a Theology that was told to me by the one who performed the rite of Baptism. His “theology” is evidently pervasive. His theology is the kind of stuff that keeps an “Awakening” away and makes evangelism a commodity. Pray those attending the SBC this week will experience: The Holy Spirit has unfinished work after with the development of what we know today as the “Bible.” Be a Friend to Jesus for His Name’s Sake and care for His Bride. Ask Him, May I see/know my place in Your Service? For It is reasonable!
Thank you Dr. Bailey. May those who read your instructions read it with an attitude offered in His Name. Amen.