Ephesians 5:15-17, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Put your name in Ephesians. 5:15-17, in the blanks: “_______________ look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. __________________, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Doesn’t that make these verses in Ephesians 5 more personal? God speaks to us in His Word, and He spoke to me this week in these verses. I do not want to be foolish. Does it prompt any opportunities that come to mind for Christ, throughout your day, in your mind?
David Guzik, in his commentary in the Blue Letter Bible, says, “The idea behind redeeming the time is that you buy up opportunities like a shrewd businessman. You make the most of every opportunity for Jesus Christ.” I need to do that better. I need to be more aware of opportunities to shine the light in pointing people to Christ throughout my workday. That is how I can be an imitator of God and seize the opportunity to apply Christian principles, I believe and know, in every situation that comes into my day.
Paul pointed out that “the days are evil.” No one can dispute that! Indeed we see it all around us more and more. No state in the U.S. is exempt, as no other foreign country is exempt as well. The days are evil; how I would love to sit and have coffee with Paul and discuss this with him. He would have so much to say and would remind me of what he wrote in Romans 1:21-22, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.”
But we have the whole Word of God to give us wisdom, guidance, knowledge, and comfort. The church people at Ephesus did not, they only had Paul’s letter to them. We have the truth right in our hands in understanding what the will of the Lord is by having the Old Testament and the New Testament. It comes from the knowledge we receive from reading His Word and the Holy Spirit filling us in imparting its truth into our mind and heart. So as I am reading God’s Word and applying it to my life, I will not be foolish and unwise. Paul summarized his earlier statements in reminding and admonishing us to walk worthy, walk in the light, walk wisely, and keep in step with the Spirit.
Chuck Swindoll has said, “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” Some weeks are more challenging than others, aren’t they?
Yes, the days are dark, and they are evil. Christ’s return is sooner today than it was yesterday. But we need to be redeeming the time for Christ’s return, like a shrewd person in business deals, diligently using every opportunity to glorify God, because our eternal assets reside in Heaven, not on this earth.
When walking, or exercising, or even while standing in line at the grocery store, pray about things and people that come to mind. Bring the Lord into every aspect of your life, using your time wisely.
Listen to Danney Gokey’s Only Jesus (Live)