The Bible makes distinctions. In the Old Testament the main groupings are the Jews and everybody else (Gentiles). In the New Testament that distinction still exists, but a more important one is featured—the Christians and everybody else (Gentiles). The meaning of the term Gentile is altered. Instead of anyones who is not a Jew, it comes to mean anyone who is not a Christian. There is another term that is used for the non-Christian as well—Outsider.
Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
-Colossians 4:5-6
At first glance, this moniker of “outsider” seems odd and a bit cruel. The New Testament writers are not interested in hurting anyone’s feelings. They use this term and others like it to make some powerful points all revolving around one theme…there are people who are not “inside” the Family of God.
Insiders have to be wise in their dealings with those on the outside. Those in the world do not recognize the same moral standard that Christians do. As a result, they often do and say things that are not appropriate in God’s eyes. If a Christian is not wise when around these people, Christians might join them in activities and vocabulary that do not bring glory to God.
Paul instructs the Colossians to “[make] the most of the opportunity.” God loves those on the outside too, and He wants them to be included in His Family. As a child of God is wise in dealing with the unredeemed, their behaviors and attitudes create a stark contrast with those of their worldly counterparts. This difference often allows Christians to share their faith with others, hopefully rescuing another person from the “domain of darkness.”
Paul then tells his readers their speech should be “with grace, as though seasoned with salt.” Responses, both verbal and nonverbal, must be chosen carefully and purposefully to convey the message of God’s love and forgiveness to the non-Christian. Salt has many functions including seasoning, preserving, and cleansing. A Christian’s communication with the world should seek to properly season the world’s view toward God, preserving their good qualities while eliminating the bad, all in hope of cleansing someone’s sin through the blood of Christ.
We were all “outsiders” once. God used His people and His Word to bring us into His Family thus giving us new monikers.
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. -1 Peter 2:9-10
With those new monikers, comes new duties and responsibilities. Simply put, reflect God’s glory to those who are still “NOT A PEOPLE” in hopes of them being added to “THE PEOPLE OF GOD.” God wants outsiders to become insiders.