"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16
Ephesians 5:15-16 gives us a very simple instruction, that we would be wise in spending our time because "the days are evil." While many of us may not see that these days are indeed evil, what that verse said is true - and that's because many people are still unsaved and we need to work hard for them to hear the Gospel that saves them.
A mission for life
Every Christian, whether male or female, educated or not, is given the same mandate, the same mission and purpose. We are to glorify God with our lives and preach the Gospel to all of creation. In this way, we will be able to "walk circumspectly," live "not as fools but as wise" people, and be able to redeem the time.
For those who are wondering how to redeem the time as Ephesians 5:15-16 commands, here are some things that you can do. This article was written specifically to help you do just that.
1) Recognize that the days are evil
In order for all of us to become motivated to do the great commission, we all need to realize and understand the great emergency: that people will die and go to hell unless they are saved.
Statistics tell us that an estimated 55.3 million people die each year. This translates to about 105 people each minute, and more than two people per second. This is very, very alarming.
As such, we need to understand the necessity of preaching the Gospel and living a life that speaks of a Godly testimony before men. We must preach the Gospel that saves people.
2) Realize that our own lives are short
Our lives are short. In fact, real short. We don't even know if we're going to live tomorrow. We don't even know if we're going to live later this day. What we do know is that God allows us to live for a reason, and that's to know Him, glorify Him, and obey His will.
When we realize that our lives are short and that after this life we will meet our Maker and Judge, we begin to make the right decisions. Moses prayed to God,
"For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
3) Strive to be like Christ
Ephesians 5:17 tells us, "Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." When we understand what God's good, pleasing and perfect will is, we can then choose to follow Him.
What is God's will? That we'd all be conformed to the image and likeness of Christ. Romans 8:29 tells us,
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Knowing that it's God's will for us to be like Christ, we must strive to be like Christ. We ought to live in the ways that He did: pleasing to God, and compassionate towards all men especially those who are oppressed and in need. He died for all of us to be saved, and if we want to be like Him we need to serve everyone by sharing the Good News of Christ to them.
