Big Idea - Most of the focus of Paul's letter to the Colossians is focused on the body of Christ and how they are to be putting on the new life in Christ as they live together as a community of faith. But, Paul does not intend that the Church be a fortress where God's people live cut off and in seclusion from the "outside" world. Instead, we are to be a people who live before the "outsiders" to display the wonders and truth of the Gospel in a winning and compelling way. Paul echoes the teaching of Jesus that we are to let our light so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven! How, then, are we to live before the outsiders? How do we put off the old self, which is so at home in the world and finds its greatest temptations in the lifestyle and practice of the outsiders, and at the same time engage with outsiders in a way that points them to Christ? How can we be "in the world, but not of the world?"

Paul is not unaware of the dangers and risks of living too much in the world. He uses the word "outsiders" for a reason. So, Paul warns us that the first thing we must do to live effectively before outsiders is to pray. The kind of prayer Paul describes is persistent, unwavering, watchful, and full of thanksgiving. This kind of prayer is only possible when we realize how helpless we are to put off the old and put on the new. It is only when we understand we are in desperate need of God's help every moment of our lives that we will pray like this. Not only are we completely dependent on Him to live the new life in Christ, but we are also powerless to proclaim the message of salvation to those who so urgently need to hear. It is God who opens the door of opportunity to share the good news, and it is God alone who can open the door of people's hearts and minds to welcome the message and receive it. So, Paul asks for prayer that God would open a door for the Word, the Gospel. Prayer is the work we do before God, and that work is our first priority. But, we must also do the work of living rightly before the outsiders. This requires us to walk wise, that is, to do what is right and godly in every situation. It means that we turn away from the old life of sin, but we don't have the attitude that we are superior to those still lost in sin. Instead, we treat them with compassion, patience, and humility. We are to love and serve them, not judge them or put on them the yoke of the law. Secondly, we are to speak to them with grace. Our heart and true attitude are expressed in what we speak and how we say things. We need to engage people, speak kindly, and be able to give an answer to their questions when they ask why we live the way we do.