Lately, I cannot escape these words.
[[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]]
Ephesians 5:15-17
Paul
writes this in the context of exhortation to walk in new life, to put off the
old self,, reminding us of our identity as children of light no longer in the
darkness as we once were. Ephesians 5:15-17
His continuous theme is you are in the light, so walk in the light,, don’t walk as those who don’t know Jesus do, don’t walk in your former manner of life, fulfilling deceitful desires,, but be renewed in the spirit of your mind, putting on the new self, letting light expose the darkness.
he is adamant, and I can feel the desperation and anguish within him, as he implores us to realize who we are in Christ now, all that we have available to us, and all that we are called to.
we are urged to not quench the Spirit but rather be filled with Him,, to not tear down but rather build up.
it is in all of this,, that
we are told to [redeem the time].
redeem {exagorazō}- “buying up the opportunity”. The word “time” here isn’t time as in actual hours and days, but rather “the time”{kairos}, meaning “a season”, a time in which something is seasonable.
Vine’s dictionary summarizes it as [[making the most of every opportunity, turning to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed]].
Paul isn’t necessarily encouraging us to make the most of every moment, but to seize, literally forcibly take hold of, opportunity for His glory and His Kingdom.
the days are evil.
the darkness is thick.
how are we walking?
are we so in tune with His voice and with His Word, that we know what His will, His desires, are in every moment, in every situation?
do we have the spirit of discernment?
we are in a definite season of opportunity that we are to seize for the glory of Jesus.
[[in our lives, in the lives of those around us, and in the nations at large]].
how are we making the best use of it?
cast off the flesh, the distractions, the lethargy,,
and feel the urgency for such a time as this.
to grow into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
to be filled with the Spirit.
and to allow the Light to expose the darkness.
“awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you”
Ephesians 5:14
He is calling us out of our sleep,,
arise and shine,, and call others out of theirs.
for the time and the Kingdom are at hand,
and His return is drawing near.
