Welcome to Saturday, August 14th!

This episode of The 7-Minute Cross Talk Bible Study is titled:

Walking As The Wise!

For this Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week’s Epistle Lesson - Ephesians 5:15-20.

If you desire further information, it may be requested from [email protected].

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

This podcast is a ministry outreach of Our Savior's Lutheran in Argyle, Minnesota - United States.

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Walking As The Wise

Take a moment now to pause the audio and download and print the 7-Minute Work Sheet before continuing.

The link is located right below this audio player.

For this Saturday Bible Study, we will consider the words of this week's Epistle Lesson: Ephesians 5:15-20.

Hopefully, these studies encourage you to engage in a deeper analysis of the current passage. But, more importantly, I hope these studies deepen your love for the Word of God.

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Let's begin with the following thought:

If someone walked up to you and told you to walk like a Christian, what would that mean to you?

We could interpret this statement as meaning we should walk like a Christian since we claim to be one, or it could just be words of encouragement during a difficult time.

If it is the former, it is a sad commentary on our Christian walk.

The point is that as Christians, we should be readily identifiable by the world around us.

No chasm should exist between our claim and the actions of our lives.

Listen as I read this week's Epistle Lesson.

Ephesians 5:15-20 NAS95

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,  [16]  making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  [17]  So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  [18]  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,  [19]  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;  [20]  always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.

Though humble in its origins, the church at Ephesus grew rapidly and significantly affected their area in Asia.

The word wise describes a person who has or shows good sense or good judgment. The word unwise describes a person who lacks wisdom or good sense.

Since Paul admonishes the Ephesian believers to walk wisely, it must be possible to walk unwisely. So let's take a moment to illustrate these two options.

How would we describe a believer who is walking unwisely?

First of all, remember that as believers, God forgave us in Christ and has reserved a place for us in heaven. At face value, walking wisely means to remember that truth at all times. As believers, we are new creations in Christ. Therefore, God expects us to walk carefully and accurately, exactly as we should.

An unwise person continues to allow their previous life to influence and at times invade his present life. As such, these individuals are not always concerned about being alert to every temptation and pitfall which comes their way. As a result, they struggle with staying on the path.

Next, let's describe a believer who is walking wisely.

A wise believer understands that there is no room in their life for what came before. Therefore, in light of what God did for them in Jesus Christ, they seek to live disciplined lives. From the moment they arise, they seek to walk in His presence.

Part of walking wisely is to use our time to share the Gospel.

Ephesians 5:16 NAS95

Making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

In every avenue of life, we are encouraged to use our time wisely. However, as believers, we are to use our time for the cause of Christ.

Have you ever commented, "Where did all the time go today?" Though we don't remember what we did, we assume or hope that we accomplished something of value.

Making the most of your time means taking advantage of various ministry opportunities as they arise during the day. You might say, "What opportunities?" How about living as a Christian, witnessing, or even being a good employee?

Persecution is increasing as Paul is writing these words. Soon it would be much more challenging to live as a believer and to engage in ministry. Our culture and society are also changing. Unfortunately, active persecution is right around the corner when ministry opportunities might be few and far between.

Therefore, we are to take advantage of today.

Verse 17 seems to imply that the Ephesian Christians were flitting around the edges of walking unwisely and wasting precious ministry time.

Ephesians 5:17 NAS95

So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Paul admonishes these believers to stop the process they were engaging in or about to engage in. They were being foolish and needed to stop the process before it shipwrecked their faith.

Bible historians date the Book of Ephesians to around 60-63 A.D. At the time, it seems that they responded to the warnings of the Apostle Paul. The church's influence stretched far and wide.

However, thirty years later, as one of the seven churches of Revelation, this church is accused of leaving its first love. Christ was no longer first in their lives.

Revelation 2:4 NAS95

'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

They were as active as ever. The ministry was thriving from all accounts but became more attached to the church than to Christ. As a result, as its members walked unwisely, the ministry became mechanical and worshiped instead of being attached to Christ.

May we walk as the wise!

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We often walk as the unwise throughout the day.

Prompt our hearts to fully understand who we are in Christ and to live as such.

Strengthen our resolve to live joyful productive Christian lives.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!