Wake Up! Get Busy!

Be Strong, Be Well — Saturday, June 27

Paul told the Ephesian brethren, “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” (5:15-17).

Circumspectly can be translated as “exactly, diligently, or perfectly. The English Standard uses the word “carefully.” The Holy Spirit instructs the Christian to be careful and consistent—making sure we follow the rules the Lord has revealed to us. This makes the difference between being wise or foolish.

“Redeeming the time” is the idea of making up for lost time. This cannot be done literally, but we can work as though it can. Keeping busy by taking every opportunity to do good, being aware of the evil that abounds everywhere around us, will help us to stay focused and avoid the danger of slipping back into old sinful ways.

There is no way anyone will make it into heaven without applying themselves. We have lived far too long in darkness. Now we must use the time we have left to “buy back,” as far as possible, the time that’s been lost in our sinful past. No one will slide into heaven without making a diligent effort to stay true to God’s will. Far too many Christians are casually gliding along, carefree and without concern.

It is time to wake up and get busy. Some will heed the call to walk circumspectly, redeeming the time. Others will be unaffected by the message, continuing on as they always have. Some will be wise, and some will be foolish.

May we all wisely seek to understand what the will of the Lord is, and then make a diligent effort to do it. —Chris