Ephesians 5:15-17

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Paul makes that statement in Ephesians 4:16. “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Paul borrowed that statement from the marketplace. Literally he’s saying, buying up your opportunities. You are doing business for God. Now don’t waste your opportunities. We must use our opportunities wisely. After all, life is a meeting of opportunity and faith. Along comes an opportunity and by faith we seize it to use it for the glory of God. Opportunities to grow in the Christian life. Opportunities to serve others. Opportunities to witness to people and tell them the only way of salvation.

Paul is telling us use your opportunities wisely. They may never come again. When opportunity knocks, don’t lock the door. In fact, keep the door open so opportunity doesn’t have to knock. Opportunity can walk right in. Use your opportunities wisely. Why? “Because the days are evil.” We’re living in evil days. There are obstacles as well as opportunities. There are open doors as well as high walls, and we as God’s people must recognize the fact that the days are evil. We must use every opportunity wisely.

How do we do this? Well, he tells us in verse 17, “Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” By understanding the will of the Lord we are able to redeem the time and use the opportunities God has given to us. “See then that you walk circumspectly,” wrote Paul, “not as fools, but as wise.” He’s being very kind. He says, when you walk, look around! Be careful, “because the days are evil” and there are traps in the way. Keep alert. Keep your radar going. Keep your attention fixed on the will of God. How do you look upon each new day? As a day of obstacle? As a day of oppression? Paul says look upon each day as a day of opportunity. Know the will of the Lord and walk carefully buying up the opportunity “because the days are evil.”