“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
(Ephesians 5:15-16)
Today’s verse passage is filled with helpful, practical instructions that come as an unbreakable unit. In fact, Paul’s entire epistle to the Ephesians seems to function this way, coming to us as one long, winding but connected thought. “See then,” wrote Paul, meaning that what follows is directly connected to what he had just revealed, namely, that we are under moral obligation to think and act differently than the unregenerate, different than those still walking in darkness. We are to walk circumspectly, that is, we are to be aware of what is around us at all times, interpreting all things through the lens of Scripture. Only the light of God’s word can illuminate our world around us, revealing where dangers are lurking, or where the blessings reside. Knowing this, we are to avoid conducting ourselves as unregenerate fools, marching headlong into trouble and disaster (Proverbs 27:12). The spirit of this age has hypnotized millions of people into an all-consuming, never ending pursuit of comfort, distraction, and entertainment, things that simply cannot provide for our deepest needs (Ecclesiastes). The redeemed of the Lord know better. With our regenerated hearts and re-written minds, we understand that we are here for blessed and holy purposes, namely, to glorify God in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31) and to act as the Savior’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Because our lives are but a vapour (James 4:14), we are called to seek for any and all opportunities to fulfill these divine imperatives while we tarry here in the flesh. “Redeeming the time,” wrote Paul, meaning that we are to “buy back” time that would otherwise be spent on useless pursuits. The cost of doing this is fixed and firm vigilance; favourable opportunities become ours at the price of obedient watchfulness. This watchful seeking for opportunities to fulfill heaven’s mandates is made even more necessary “because the days are evil.” In a world in which evil men are waxing worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13), our circumstances, at least outwardly, seem contrary to our divine purposes. Truly, this is a world in which evil is called good and good is called evil (Isaiah 5:20), and the unregenerate, with their inward, natural hostility toward God do all they can to insulate themselves from God’s special revelation. May God give us all special eyes to see the opportunities He provides in order that we may speak “a word in season” to them who are wearied by sin in this world (Isaiah 50:4). May our witness to them be bold, courageous, and irresistible under God, to the saving of precious souls, and this to the glory of Christ our Lord, the eternally Blessed God (Romans 9:5).
Walk strong, dear saints, and let us take ground for the Kingdom today!
Pastor John
English