| | | | Redeeming the Time - Ephesians 5:16-17 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
What is Paul talking about when he tells us to walk circumspectly? The Greek word is akribós, which means carefully, exactly, accurately. Imagine you're in the jungle of South America, and you come across a river that is filled with Piranha, and the only way to cross is over a tree that has fallen over the river. You're going to walk "circumspectly" over that tree, because to slip and fall means being stripped of your flesh by hungry Piranha!
But the context Paul is using is not so much that we need to walk carefully to avoid being injured, but rather that we should walk carefully because this planet is on borrowed time. Our mission to proclaim Christ has a timeline.
See, it's easy to become distracted by the things of this world; work, life, hobbies, etc, and not be focused on our mission to reach the lost with the gospel message.
But even worse is when the Christian becomes careless and starts indulging in the sinful practices of this world. That becomes more than a distraction, as it opens the door for the enemy of our soul and our own conscience, to condemn us, for the world to judge us, and as a result we feel unworthy to represent the Lord at all. Our ability to be a witness for Christ is handicapped. The tragedy of a backsliding Christian isn't so much the sin, which is forgiven by the blood of Christ; The tragedy is that our witness to the lost is impacted. The lost see us as no different from them.
Friends, let's make the best use of our limited time on this earth, and not squander our time, or our witness. Walk carefully, intentionally, and purposefully, and let your life be a light that reflects Christ to all that are in your sphere.
"Lord, help me to walk carefully today, and be an image-bearer of Your Son Jesus Christ."
Pastor Clay * My Daily Devotional is based on the scripture reading from The One Year Bible each day. If you'd like to read along, check out the One Year Bible online: oneyearbibleonline.com | | | | | | | |
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