God exhorts us to “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” How we use our time is critical. We need to understand how precious each moment is so we don’t waste it. We have many opportunities to spend our time foolishly, sinfully. God wants us, instead, to make the most of every opportunity. Notice the reason for exercising such discernment and wisdom. — “the days are evil”
Until we gain a realistic perspective on life, we will not grasp the significance of using our time to its best advantage or benefit.
A realistic perspective says the “the days are evil” so I need to make the best choices in how I use my time. I need to line up with God and cooperate with Him in accomplishing His will during these last days. –“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Eph. 5:17)
A pessimistic view says “the days are evil” what can I do? I might as well eat, drink, and be merry. That perspective allows us to be overcome and controlled by what is going on around us.
To rise above, rather than conform, we need to keep going in Ephesians 5 to verses 18-20 which depict the opposite of a pessimistic view of life. — “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is that abundant, full life Jesus came to give us (Jn. 10:10). It has no expiration date. Nor does it have a conditional clause that makes it subservient to evil days.
Let’s ask ourselves these questions:
- Are we living in a way that sets us apart from the evil all around us?
- Are we living with the reality of how short our time to make a difference might be?
- Are we rising above the evil around us, proclaiming Jesus as the answer rather than living for self?
- Are we living within the joy of the Lord despite the circumstances around us?