Do your job.

Do your job

COL 4:2-6

Instructions to pray that God will open a door for Paul and Timothy to speak the mystery of Christ.

The instructions to the saints about what we are to do in the realm of evangelism.

Paul was called as an apostle to evangelize the Gentiles.

The saints in Colossae participate in this A part by praying for Paul.

But then in verses 5 and 6 we have part B.

The saints in Colossae are instructed about the work they are to do to fulfill the mission to evangelize the lost.

Paul does NOT instruct them to do what he does.

He does NOT tell the saints that they are to go into the whole world like he did.

He does not require each individual Christian to regularly preach the gospel.

He tells them to conduct themselves with wisdom toward outsiders.

The outsiders are unbelievers - those who are outside God’s household.

1. Conduct ourselves with wisdom.
2. Make the most of the opportunity.
3. Let our speech be gracious.
4. Then we will know how to respond to each person.

1TH 4:9-12

1. Love the brethren
2. Lead a quiet life
3. Attend to your own business

 SO THAT…you will
 
Behave properly toward outsiders.

Evangelicals are regularly told that it is the duty of each individual Christian to evangelize.

These statements are simply not found in the New Testament epistles. Or anywhere else in the New Testament.

1PE 3:13-16

Peter was instructed to make disciples of all the nations.

1. Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts.
2. Be ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you.
3. Do it with gentleness and reverence.

Peter simply tells his congregations to be ready to explain the hope of the gospel when someone asks you.

There is no command in the New Testament epistles that requires each saint to evangelize.

This is not saying that the Body of Christ does not have a duty to preach the gospel and evangelize unbelievers.

The Lord has appointed certain members of the body to carry out this work of actively evangelizing on a regular basis.

Just because something is not commanded, that does not mean that you should not do it.