Colossians 4:6 (CEB) Your speech should always be gracious and sprinkled with insight so that you may know how to respond to every person.
Cecil Northcott's book "A Modern Epiphany" tells about a camp of young people with representatives of many nations. As the campers discussed how to tell people about Christ, they turned to a representative from Africa.
"Maria," they asked, "What do you do in your country?" Maria replied, "We don't have missions or give pamphlets away. We just send one or two Christian families to live and work in a village, and when the residents see what Christians are like, then they want to be Christians, too."
Writer Jan White called this characteristic "winsomeness" on a recent Practical Faith Academy podcast. Winsomeness can be defined as "attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates." Colossians gives an example of winsomeness, emphasizing gracious, insightful conversation that is customized for each person we meet.
When we present a life that is attractive, that interests others, that is pleasing to observe, then it can stimulate them to want the same for themselves. Too often, Christians are accused of the opposite, of living in such a way that repels others, makes them feel excluded or unworthy, a life that doesn't appear attractive at all.
Let us live in such a way that people who are not Christian or who reject their Christian roots may say, "I want some of that, whatever it is." Our winsomeness can win souls for Christ.
One of the materials available in Cecil Taylor Ministries' Instant Content portfolio for small groups is "Live Like You're Loved," a book and a video series. Essentially, this content steers us toward living a winsome life. Learn more at https://www.ceciltaylorministries.com/live-like-you-re-loved.
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