With Grace and Salt

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Jeremiah 4-6 and the closing chapter of Colossians, chapter 4.

Among other things, we note that Paul often lends a close personal touch in his letters to the churches. In the closing chapter, we note that more than half of it mentioned individuals.
Paul, for all his militant and no-nonsense approach is well aware of the equally important and God sanctioned "softer" tender loving side. Paul shed tears oft in his fervent pleas and exhortations to the brethren (Act 20:19; 31; 2Co 2:4). Even as he sought to preach and defend the word, the well-being of the brethren weighed equally upon his mind (c.f. 2Co 11:28).

It seems an appropriate extension to what Paul wrote in this closing chapter with regards to our "answer" to "every man". (Col 4:6)
All of us are well aware of how the power of one's speech. The proverb writer encourages us of the benefits of sound speech (Pro 16:24; 25:11), and warns us of the dangers of unseemly words (Pro 15:1; 18:8; 26:22). And we are all too familiar with James' extended discourse on the tongue in James 3.

In this particular verse, we note that it seems to be a culmination of what was previously mentioned in the latter part of chapter 3, of our earthly relationships. Yet also coupled with the manner which we preach the gospel as we read of earlier in chapter 4. Paul wrote in Eph 4:15, exhorting us to "Speak[ing] the truth in love". In the same stroke, he went on to exhort, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (emphasis mine)

So we first note that there is the need to "answer", whether it be our day to day communication or in defence and sharing of the faith (c.f. 1Pe 3:15). Lest we be discouraged and daunted to just give up talking altogether!
And then there is the manner for which we are to do so. "pleasant" words is not about smooth, sauve talk. Flattery is to be as far as it can be  from Christian speech! (c.f. Pro 6:24; 7:21)
Especially in the preaching of God's word. Paul wrote in 1Co 2:1,  "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God." and later in v. 4 "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:"

Grace and salt suggests 2 things - our attitude and the approach.
As we communicate, we need to be careful with our mindset and motivation. A sobering example is that given by Jesus himself when he spoke of "judging" our brethren (Mat 7:1-5). The issue is not about casting out the "mote" in our brother's eye (we need one another to do it!), but the motivation and our attitude behind it. Sincerity and purity is at the core of it. Peter nails it right at the head when he exhorted the brethren to "refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:" (emphasis mine). No guile - not deceitful, not pretentious, just like Christ! (1Pe 2:22) Only can we be gracious in our words and in turn "minister grace" to the people we speak to.

What about the approach? Obviously, personality types come into play here. It is interesting why the the bible uses "salt", which was first alluded to by Jesus Himself (Mat 5:13). How does one use it? SPARINGLY. Notice the word "seasoned" preceding salt. So whatever it is, whoever we are, let's not go to extremes. Paul exhorted us to let our "moderation to be known of all men." (Phi 4:5). Moderation seems to be the last thing on people's minds especially in this age of the internet and social media. Most recently we read of the the case of Ms Amy Cheong.
Brethren, we need to be careful and not let loose verbal diahorrea without care and concern.

To cap it all off, it's not just about refraining from the bad, but also engaging in the good! As we saw earlier in Eph 4:15 - that which is good to the use of edifying. Just as we are to meditate on good things (Phi 4:8), when we focus on saying that which edifies, there will be no place for bad communication.

The Lord help us to always speak with grace and season our words with salt, that we may minister grace and let His name be glorified.

in Him
Paul

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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. ~ John 21:24,25