We are nearing the end of this study of the Bible doctrine of grace—this is the next to the last devotional—but if you think back to the first of these studies, you may recall that one way I introduced the subject of grace was by listing the many adjectives that have been linked to grace in Christian theology and hymnody. Theologians add to that long list by speaking of common grace, electing grace, irresistible grace, persevering grace, prevenient grace, and pursuing grace. 
 
In this study we come to one of those theological phrases: persevering grace.

Our conversation should be interesting. My final point is that the conversation of Christians should be interesting, which is the way I understand the phrase “seasoned with salt.” Salt had various uses in the ancient world, the chief one being that it was used as a preservative. There was no refrigeration then, of course. So if meat was to be preserved, for instance, the only way of doing it was by smoking it or curing it with salt. Jesus was probably thinking about this use of salt when he told his disciples that they were “the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13). He meant that it is due to the influence of godly people that the world is not a more rotten place than it is.

Our comments should be discerning. This is what Paul is speaking about when he tells us to “make the most of every opportunity.” Not every moment of our day contains opportunities for sharing the gospel or speaking a timely or encouraging word. In fact, some moments are decidedly inopportune. If people in your company are rushing to satisfy a customer by meeting a critical deadline, that is not the time to distract them by opening a serious discussion about sin. If you are asked to honor an employee who is retiring after thirty years of good service, that is not the time to ask, “By the way, do all of you know the four spiritual laws?” That would be inappropriate, unwise, and offensive.

This brings us back to Colossians, where I ask, “What should the Christian's conversation be like? What does Colossians 4:6 teach about the way we should use words?” There are many things we could say about the way Christians should speak, but this text alone suggests at least five of them.

I want to study carefully what Colossians 4:6 says about how we should speak. But before I do that I want to do one more introductory thing. I want to think about the gracious speech of Jesus, since he is a great example for us in this, as in all other areas. We recall that after the first sermon of his career, spoken in the synagogue at Nazareth, the people were mostly enthralled at his gracious teaching. The text says, “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips” (Luke 4:22). So it was throughout his three-year ministry.