S134P6 – A message to Ephesus: walk wisely
Eph. 5:15-21
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
I can remember staring at my ceiling as a bored child with nothing to do. Of course, that is not a completely accurate characterization of the scene. I thought I had nothing to do, and I would complain about having nothing to do, but there was plenty to do. My problem was less about boredom and more about foolishness. I had a desire to spend my time in a particular way, which was by being entertained. I just wanted to do whatever was fun. I could not see the benefit of using my time in other more productive ways, but there was so much I could have learned or accomplished, and I can recover none of that time today. This practical observation comes with a spiritual truth.
After Paul writes to the Ephesians to walk in love and in light, he then tells them to walk in wisdom. Each of us is given a certain amount of time in this imperfect world, and we have options regarding how we spend that time. If we want to live with spiritual wisdom, we will pursue understanding the Lord’s will so that we can live according to it. We can use our time or waste our time. Spending our time in drunkenness and other kinds of debauchery is a waste. This is what we expect of the world unconcerned with the evil of these days. Spending our time being filled with the Spirit and producing His fruit is good use. We can take these evil days and fill them with goodness and holiness that build the Church and accomplish God’s will.
The one who walks wisely does not attempt to walk alone. Paul is addressing his audience as a group, and his instruction begs their spiritual interaction. This is a call for corporate worship and thanksgiving. The mutual submission Paul urges is to be done as an act of reverence toward God. Walking in spiritual widsom requires that we work toward building the body in unity, and we do this as unto the Lord. We must be selfless, with our concern directed toward our unified work to fulfill the will of God while the days remain available to us. Father, give us what we need to live these days with spiritual wisdom, and remove from us any impediment to fulfilling your will for your Church.