In These Days…Devotional
Daily Reading: (Ephesians 5:15-17):
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
What took place at Pentecost is the beginning of the end of the world as we know it…”in the last days” (Acts 2:17).
The Bible doesn’t stop there, we are given another indicator when the last days would be as Hebrews 1:2 says, "In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son . . . " Since the Son came, we live in "these last days" (Hebrews 1:2).
There are some things we need to know that will help us to navigate through the days that are evil. “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise…”
Wise living happens carefully (Ephesians 5:15). Job asked- “But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? Job 28:12. It’s ok Job we got some wise people here who know that Solomon would write in Proverbs 2:6: “For the LORD gives wisdom: out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” People can find wisdom Solomon the wise one says from God. When you are led by His wisdom, the Lord can protect you from making unwise decisions. There is a discernment and wisdom from the Lord that goes beyond looking at the outward appearance of a matter. When you call on Him, He will answer you and give you an answer of peace (Isaiah 11:2-3).
How do we live wise? The answer comes with the very next verse- “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” You live wise (15) by making the most of every opportunity (16). Exagorazō/make the most was a metaphor of Christ freeing the elect from the dominion of the Mosaic Law at the price of his vicarious death.
So Paul is simply saying to be careful to not fall into the trap of living under the bondage of the Law. Live free in the grace you have been given through the death of Jesus Christ. That is wise living. That is what it means to make the most of every opportunity.
“Because the days are evil.” Take whatever opportunity arises to proclaim God’s Word over the evil you encounter. What the devil wants to do is to get you to focus on your condition instead of your position in Christ. The devil knows that once you focus on your position in Christ, it will give you the power to change your condition and circumstances.
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Being Foolish is to not understand what the Lord’s will is. Don’t be without reason, unwise – “don’t be a fool but understand” is a Greek idiom for: a good and upright man (having the knowledge of those things which pertain to salvation).
Will is the Greek word thelema and means:
of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ
of what God wishes to be done by us
You are a good and righteous person in Christ, that is who you are. You have the knowledge of things that pertain to salvation so you understand God’s Will is to bless you in Christ and that God desires you to share the Gospel with others, continue in this knowledge for this will lead to wise living.