Ephesians 5:15-21 “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. 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. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.”
Last Sunday, Pastor Herk continued in his sermon series through the Pauline Epistle to the Ephesians. Shortcuts in our walk with God rob us of joy on the journey through life on this side of glory. We need to been focused and enjoy the experience rather then cruising through blindly on automatic pilot. But, as a modern culture, we have fallen in love with shortcuts. You have to be careful in your Christian journey because you may be tempted to take shortcuts in your walk with God. This earthly life experience in this time of history is God’s intention, otherwise the moment that we received salvation, He would take us home to the kingdom of Heaven. In our quest for the most expedient path to God, we can to drawn into following the latest program or fad to spirituality.
Sanctification and spiritual growth is a life-long, “slow and steady as you go” process. It is good to read the Word of God, purposefully meditating upon what the Scriptures are telling us, what God intended and understanding its application for our Christian life on this journey, taking part in His plan.
The Greek word for “circumspectly” in verse 15 is “Akribōs”, meaning exactly, accurately, or diligently. Webster’s dictionary defines it as: Cautiously; with watchfulness every way; with attention to guard against surprise or danger. To walk in a manner that is consistent with their new life in Christ. Earlier in Ephesians 4:1the Apostle said, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” Walk as children of Light, not just as walking through life, but how we conduct ourselves while walking, living our lives. It is a present tense verb meaning a continuous live for Christ and for the purposes of God action daily and circumspectly. There are two competing worldviews in society today (fallen humanity’s naturalistic secular view and the God-honoring biblical view). we must be careful to not be deceived. This God-rejecting world system emphasizes sinful “self-gratification” and morality-free “personal relationships” as the central focus, and their Creator God (His creation and design for their lives; His standards, His commandments, His purposes and goals for life don’t even cross their minds). The enemy, the Deceiver and Accuser, the devil rejoices in their lost souls.
Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” That lamp doesn’t light the entire area; it illuminates the next step in the darkness only. This world is like a minefield, and we need to walk forward, following step-by-step in the exact footprints of the Lord in order to navigate safely through it. The Apostle Paul gives us practical instructions on how to navigate, walk and live our lives as Christians. His instructions need to be followed carefully, cautiously, diligently and accurately. It is a critic error to believe that fallen humanity is basically “good” and has each other’s best interests in mind. Natural Selection is based upon survival of the fitness, elimination of competition and death of the weak. By definition, darkness and light cannot co-exist, so darkness of sin and unbelief mindfully plans and manipulates to eliminate the light by lies designed to marginalize, compromise, blame, shame, and defame God authoritative Word, Will and Way. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 12:30, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” It’s spiritual warfare.
Let's continue Pastor Herk's message on taking "shortcuts" in life, next time.
In Christ, Brian
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