"Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time" (Colossians 4:5)
The one word above all others which so vividly describes an utterly hopeless condition in itself is the expression "without." In that one little word of only three letters in the original Greek, the Apostle Paul is able to sum up the state of a person without Jesus Christ in his heart and life, dead in trespasses and sin, hopeless for the individual because there is nothing in himself that can change this.
Only one way is provided to remedy an otherwise hopeless condition and that is for those within to go to those without with the gospel message. Up to this point in the Epistle, the Apostle has exhorted with regard to the relationship between Christians. Now the commission of the Christian, the main purpose for his presence on earth, is emphasized. How this exhortation is needed by those within!
"Our first duty is to 'walk in wisdom' towards the unconverted. Wisdom is Gospel knowledge applied in Gospel common sense....We cannot hope either to honor the truth in the eyes of the unconverted or to win them to Christ, except as we show forth the essential difference of the Christian's position from that of the world" (W.R. Nicholson).
Our hearts can be stirred with compassion, and rightly so, by a missionary challenge depicting a native dressed only with a breechcloth in South America, an underfed child in Korea, or a witch doctor in Africa. Yet there is a seeming indifference to the spiritual condition even to those who are closest to us geographically, physically, or occupationally. How the Apostle Paul pleads with the Christians in Colosse to place the emphasis where it should be in their lives. How we need to take advantage of every precious moment to minister to those WITHOUT.
(by Dr. Elliot R. Cole)