“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” — Colossians 4:5
How do I live in a secular society and respond to sin without being self-righteous?
I am praying for a heart that responds to sin and approaches sinners the way Jesus does—treating people with compassion and as human beings. He dwelled with us and ate with us², with no desire to condemn us³, but wanting us to be saved⁴ and with Him in God.
How can I do that? What does that look like? I’m asking, seeking, knocking⁵.
Here’s what I’ve got so far…
Jesus’s presence is like the gate or door to an illustrious mansion, and at the gate all are welcome⁶.
There He presents goods that indicate how wonderful it is inside⁷, sharing the good news that we’re invited to live there, while also teaching what is required for entry—an abandonment of everything to follow Jesus through the complete transformation that is necessary to enter⁸. The main focus of His correction is attitudes and affections—heart conditions that would prevent entry⁹.
We are transformed as we enter, like the increasingly narrowing path of the “Eye of the Needle” that necessitates shedding ourselves of everything to get through—sanctification¹⁰.
There’s acceptance at the Door but exacting standards when one enters¹¹.
It reminds me of the ruler from Matthew 22¹² who asked his servants to go out and invite people from the highways and byways to fill his house. But once they were inside, the ruler finds a guest who doesn’t have on a wedding garment and is condemned because that guest should have been clear on what they were invited to and what it demanded—the wedding garment, which are the righteous acts of the saints as described in Revelation 19¹³, and would have been received from the Master of the house. Again that garment of righteousness is the Master’s work¹⁴, not ours, and we must be careful to abide in it¹⁵.
So what’s our role as followers of Christ?
To those outside, we are present in a way that proclaims and presents the treasures of the Kingdom, both in word and in deed¹⁶.
To those who come inside, we point each other to Christ. We serve, share, edify, and hold each other accountable¹⁷.
We don’t cause sanctification—it is God’s work¹⁸. But we walk together in it, helping each other continue as we continue ourselves¹⁹.
Legend of Scripture References (NKJV):
¹ Colossians 4:5 – “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”
² Luke 15:2 – “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”
John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
³ John 3:17 – “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
⁴ 2 Peter 3:9 – “…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
⁵ Matthew 7:7 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
⁶ John 10:9 – “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'”
John 7:37 – “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”
⁷ Matthew 13:52 – “Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
⁸ Luke 14:33 – “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
Romans 12:2 – “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Matthew 24:13 – “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
⁹ Matthew 6:21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Mark 7:21–23 – “For from within, out of the heart… proceed evil thoughts… All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Matthew 15:19 – “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries…”
John 8:43-44 – “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do…”
¹⁰ Mark 10:25 – “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Hebrews 10:14 – “For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.”
¹¹ Matthew 7:13–14 – “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life…”
¹² Matthew 22:9–13 – Parable of the wedding feast and the guest without a garment.
¹³ Revelation 19:8 – “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen… for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”
¹⁴ Isaiah 61:10 – “…He has clothed me with the garments of salvation…”
¹⁵ John 15:10 – “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
¹⁶ Romans 10:14–15 – “How shall they believe… unless they hear? …How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel…”
Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works…”
¹⁷ Hebrews 10:24–25 – “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…”
Galatians 6:1–2 – “Bear one another’s burdens…”
¹⁸ 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 – “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely…”
¹⁹ Philippians 2:12–13 – “Work out your own salvation… for it is God who works in you…”
