Battle Within

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Timing is everything� It refers to the importance of saying or doing something when the occasion is right. Asking someone out on a first date? Timing is everything. Hitting a baseball? Timing is everything. Asking for an extension on that homework assignment? Timing is everything.

Maybe you have a desire to share the gospel with unsaved friends or family members, but you feel like the timing is never right. But how do we know when the time is right to talk to someone about the gospel? The first step is to pray!

In Colossians 4:2-4, Paul gives the believers in Colossae two prayer requests. The first is “that God may open a door†(verse 3). We often equate open doors with opportunities, and this is exactly what Paul means. He is asking God to open up an opportunity for Him to share the good news about Jesus with unbelievers.

The second request is for Paul to be able to communicate the gospel clearly (verse 4). If we feel uncomfortable sharing the gospel with someone, it may be in part because we feel like we wouldn’t be able to explain it very well. Paul felt the same way, so he prayed God would work in Him to share the gospel clearly and effectively.

In the same way, if we want to share the gospel with someone, we can pray God would open doors of obvious opportunities for us to share the gospel with clarity and boldness. • Jonathon Fuller

• Write down the name of one person you would like to share the gospel with. Ask God to give you opportunities to share the good news with them and that He would make the gospel clear as you share.

• What questions do you have about sharing the gospel? Who are trusted Christians in your life you can talk with about these questions—such as pastors, counselors, parents, or teachers?

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Colossians 4:3 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Psalm 42:5; Revelation 21:1-5