READING: Isaiah 14-16, Ephesians 5:1-16
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.”
Ephesians 5:15
Most of us need to pay more attention to how we live. We don’t always eat properly or rest well. Some of us weigh more than we should. Many of us are workaholics who take too little time off. And, even those of us who are Christians don’t always give sufficient attention to our spiritual disciplines. Because we don’t budget our time well, we give God only whatever leftover time we have. We continually struggle with sin from which we choose not to repent.
Paul used the word “walk” to speak of a believer’s conduct – that is, how a believer lives his daily life – and his letter to the Ephesians reverberates with a call to walk well:
- “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1)
- “Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds” (Eph. 4:17)
- “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us” (Eph. 5:2)
- “Walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8)
- “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise” (Eph. 5:15)
Life is short, and the days in which we live are evil ones, so we must make wise use of our time. It is not a wise man who walks according to the ways of the world, living for the temporary and risking the judgment of holy God. Rather, the wise man capitalizes on every opportunity he has to honor God. He chooses righteousness over rebellion, love over liberty, and sacrifice over selfishness. His new man is evident, and he deflects any praise to his Creator and Redeemer. He redeems the time, continually paying attention to his life, turning from sin, and walking faithfully. Indeed, the wise man lives as light in a dark world by imitating God in every step he takes.
ACTION STEPS:
- Don’t waste time today. Life is brief.
- Walk in a manner worthy of your calling as a Christian.
PRAYER: “God, help me to pay attention to my life today, committing myself to following You fully.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 17-19, Ephesians 5:17-33
