(1Th 1:2)  “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; (3)  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love,…”  There seems to be two types of people who take part in the work of the church. One are those who work as if they are serving in a club and two, those who are working in demonstration of their love for the Lord. Anything you do: read the Bible, pray, attend church, serve in the church, should be to reverently demonstrate your love for the Lord.  

(1Th 1:2) “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; (3)  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith,….”  Faith is believing what God has said and acting upon it. It is therefore when one works in reaction to wanting to please Him that the Lord blesses. Such a person has faith that the Lord will bless their labors, for they are for Him and not for self.  

(Col 4:6) “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”   Grace: giving another that which is undeserved. So, we speak in a way to benefit them even if their attitude or response is undeserving of such. “Seasoned with salt”: speaks of enduring quality, as was added to the offerings made to God. What we say to others should have eternal meaning. What we say should be worth hearing. In the desire to please God in these things He gives wisdom and direction: “that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” 

(Col 4:6) “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”  How many times have I received remarks from others that cut to the bone! How many times have I spoke to others without thinking of how it might affect them? What a world it would be if each of us prayed the Lord to season our speech with salt, thinking of others rather than ourselves, ministering to them with grace!   

(Col 4:5) “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”   One redeems something in order to rescue it from lost, as the Lord redeemed us from an eternity in hell by the sacrifice of Himself – His blood shed. Time stops for none of us. If it is not lived and given to the Lord, it has been wasted, lost. So, we are to seek to spend it wisely in devotion of activity towards Him and His glory.

(Col 4:5) “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”  What does the Holy Spirit mean, “without”? There are those who are outside the family of God. There are those who have never repented of their sins against God and put their faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for them. They are yet to be saved. If you are not sure you are “in”, then you need to be sure today. I plead with you to with your heart turn from your sin and embrace the Lord Jesus for everlasting life. He will make you new, changing your desires. When Jesus said, “Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest”, He was inviting you “in”.  

(Col 4:3)  “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4 ) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”  We are to make the gospel “fully manifest”. In other words, we are to give the gospel in a complete way. Friend, it is more than “believe and you will be saved”. It is repent, turn from your sins, and put your faith in Jesus’ death (blood spilt), burial, and resurrection and He will give you the Gift of Everlasting Life. 

(Col 4:3) “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,”  It is not saying that the gospel is any longer a mystery; but is referring to the fact it had been a mystery throughout the Old Testament. Praise God that the mystery has been revealed, the eyes of the saved opened to see it and embrace it for salvation. Jesus came to this earth, lived a sinless life and then offered that life on a cross in our place. He paid the price of suffering and death while bearing our sins. And then, after three days He rose again. He gives that victory life as a gift to those who repent and embrace Him by faith as their Savior – their only means of salvation! The “mystery” has been revealed!

(Col 4:3) “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance,”  This is one area to which most of us fail. We do  not pray that a door of utterance be opened for our pastor(s). We forget that the gospel is not given like “a bull in a China Shop”. It is to be given with love and wisdom of speech. A door to the heart needs to be willingly opened by the individual, not pried open. The same is true for yourself also. Ask the Lord to open doors so that you might witness.

(Col 4:2)  “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;”  Thanksgiving. We have emotions given to us by God. Those emotions will come forth during hardships unbidden. That does not mean you are not thankful. It is during such times we are to take stock of what we are and who we are. What are we and who are we? Answer: Children of God Almighty, bought with the very blood of His Son, put in favor in the Beloved. Therefore the things we are facing will end up for His glory and our good: (Rom 8:28)  “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”  So, we by faith give thanks!