Freedom House Church and Healing Centre

Hello Persevering Saints,

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Time is slipping away. The older we get, the more we realize that we are running out of time. I don’t know when it started, but there was a definite switch in my mind from carefree living to counting my days. Has that happened to you? “Middle age”, if the average life expectancy is in the low 80’s, is around 40. I’m now 17 years passed that point! I seem to go to more funerals than weddings or baby showers. I also seem to be much more aware of the state of the world and the fragile times in which we find ourselves. When I reached the official status of “senior”, time seemed to be more important than ever. I can look back at all the things I’ve accomplished, and wish I had done, and now realize those things that I will never get to do. I’m running out of time! But then, when I really think about it, no one knows how much time they have. It could be over at any time; at any age. The issue is not, “how much time do I have?”, but rather, “what will I do with the time I have?”. I believe our passage before us speaks to that point – Ephesians. 5:15-20.

We need to remember, that when Paul writes this letter, it is under Roman house arrest, and roughly only four years before his death. His Holy Spirit exhortation is timeless, totally applicable to us today:

1. “Be careful how you live (walk)”- this verse has the literal meaning of looking out for things as you are walking. Live a disciplined, well-structured life, aware of your surroundings, taking care to not stumble on the unexpected. One does this by being wise, not foolish. Wisdom involves making decisions based on the leading of Holy Spirit, not the flesh. This really ties back to the previous section, where we are told to “walk as children of light” (vs. 8). We are to choose Jesus, not the darkness of this world.
2. “Making the most of every opportunity” – how does one “walk carefully”? By making good use of their time, not wasting it. This forces us to examine what we do with our time. How much of it are we wasting, or spending on fleeting preoccupations? If time is short, and we don’t have a lot of it, not knowing when it will end, what are we doing with the little time we have? The literal Greek word for this verse means, “redeeming”, which means to set free. What do we have to free ourselves of so we can make the best use of our time? Throw out the television – spend more time with people – make disciples.
3. “Understand what the Lord’s will is” – we are living in “evil” days, which means wicked, sinful, immoral and corrupt. Things are getting worse, and spiraling out of control. If ever there was a time to discern the Lord’s will, it is now! Instead of wasting time, we ought to be people of prayer, pressing in to hear the words of our Father, and our Master Jesus. I believe that this is a call to intercession, fasting and seeking our Leader’s voice.
4. “Do not get drunk…but be filled with the Spirit” – verses 17-20 are really a call to forsake all worldly vices, and make Jesus Lord of our lives. One cannot escape the obvious call to community, “speaking to one another…from the Spirit”. I can see Paul saying, “There is strength in numbers – use your time to gather, praise God, and hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches! It is a time to encourage one another through Spirit-led Psalms and Hymns, and focus on God by praising Him for all things.” Are we willing to set aside time to be with Jesus and other believers, to seek His face, hear His voice, and obey His commands? If not now, when? Now is the time!

Friends, this word could not come at a better time! It is the close of one year, and the beginning of a new one. Will this year be the year when we finally get rid of all the distractions, and the time wasting, and really focus on Jesus? Times are getting crazier. The world seems to be unraveling, and things could quickly deteriorate for the church. Do you know that 3-4 years after writing this letter, the Roman Emperor Nero declared open season on Christians, and one of the worst persecutions ever, began against the church. During this time, Peter was crucified upside down on a cross, and Paul was beheaded, because of their faith in Jesus! It’s time to seize the day, making the most of every opportunity to preach the gospel, make disciples, and seek the Lord with all of our heart. I close with some of the last words Paul ever wrote, to his disciple Timothy:

“But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me -- the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.” (2Timothy 4:5-8)

Use your time wisely,

Mike