Outsiders

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." (Colossians 4: 5 NIV)

Every Christian and saved person is one who is an "insider." Those who are not Christian, and who are apart from Christ, are "outsiders." Every Christian was first an "outsider" before he became an "insider" within the Christian community, within the church or body of Christ.

Those who are not Christians, and who are therefore "outside" of the church or society of the redeemed, have their eyes on Christians, judging them by their manner of life. The Christian ought to be aware of this, to realize that he is daily a "spectacle" to men (I Corinthians 4: 9 KJV). The unbelievers regularly "behold" the affairs of those who profess the name of Christ, and to be his followers. How they behave towards outsiders reflects on both the profession of the individual Christian as well as the profession of the Christian religion in general.

Christians may do more preaching of the gospel with the way they live from day to day than by any words they may speak to "outsiders." Peter realized this when he advised sisters in the church with these words:

"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." (I Peter 3: 1, 2 NIV)

The living of the Christian message is a powerful weapon to win over outsiders to the Christian faith. To show grace in our lives and dealings with others is a far greater witness to the grace of God than mere words about "grace."

Paul exhorts believers, or "insiders," to be careful about how they act and live in front of the unbelieving world. He wants them to know that their daily lives can either help win souls to Christ or hinder it. Serious business is this matter of living the Christian message!

Paul wants every Christian to "make the most of every opportunity" in regard to winning the hearts of the lost to Christ. But, if one's life contradicts the profession, then such a professing Christian will be judged as an hypocrite and likely do harm to others in their coming to see the beauty of the Christian faith.

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody." (I Thessalonians 4: 11, 12 NIV)

"He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap." (I Timothy 3: 7 NIV)

Christians should ever be concerned with "winning the respect of outsiders," and of promoting the Christian faith, by the way they live from day to day.

Outsiders are often very keen on seeing the contradictions of the faith of Christians versus their actual works. Oh how many souls have been kept from life and salvation because of the poor Christian witness and testimony of many false professors of Christ!

"Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" (I Corinthians 14: 22-25 NIV)

Paul was very concerned for how things would "look" to "outsiders" who, in visiting the assemblies of Christians, and in seeing the disorders and tumults among them, would be "turned off" as respects giving any serious attention to what the Christians might be saying with their words. Paul is reminding them that "actions speak louder than words." What kind of witness are you giving to Christ and his message by how you conduct yourselves before unbelievers and outsiders?

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up." (II Peter 2: 1-3 NIV)

"Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written." (Romans 2: 23, 24 KJV)

"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed." (I Timothy 6: 1 KJV)

"That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." (Titus 2: 4, 5 KJV)

All these verses emphasize the same important point. Christian, if you make profession of Christ, then be sure you live it from day to day! You will do more for the cause of Christ in this manner than all the preaching with words you may do! Some live a life and teach doctrines that lead many outsiders to "speak evil" or to "blaspheme" the "way of truth."

"Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation...For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." (I Peter 2: 11, 12, 15 KJV)

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." (I Peter 3: 15-17 KJV)

Again, the Christian is pointed to the witness of his daily life, and how important this is to the furtherance of the kingdom of Christ and of the salvation of sinners. A holy and non-hypocritical life will work to "stop the mouths of" and "put to silence" all gainsayers of the faith, of all those who ridicule it as being a mere "myth." Christians can demonstrate the reality of their faith by their daily works of faith.

"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person." (I Corinthians 5: 11-13 KJV)

The Christian should have a proper attitude towards outsiders. He should first and foremost love them as neighbors, and desire only their good, and especially of their eternal salvation, and of their coming to Christ. He should also witness to them of their sins, although he ought not to fellowship with them in those sins. They are not to "judge" or "look down on" outsiders, but to show them mercy and kindness, and understanding, for they should recall that they also were once outsiders and opponents of Christ as they are yet. The Christian does not judge outsiders. Their judgment belongs strictly to God and to civil government. But, he does judge those within his own family and community, by the word and Spirit of God.

Friend, are you a Christian insider or an outsider? Christian, is your life one that wins others to Christ or one that hinders them from it?