Redeeming The Time: pt 2

Continued...

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

– Ephesians 5:1-16

After we awaken to the voice of God, we must make application of what we hear—Amen. I believe that if we were to meditate on this chapter alone and make application, there would be massive improvement in our attitudes toward each other, along with great demonstration of power in the body of Christ.

Our quest for redeeming the time involves instruction.

1) Knowledge: needed for accomplishment; godly knowledge will not leave any guessing room, which leads to the high chance of failure.

2) Wisdom: spiritual know-how; to make application. I want to encourage you today to view God’s Word as the only authority and to see to it that you make it the only road map for your lifelong journey.

So then, what is God’s will?

Walk in love

“And walk in love as Christ also has loved us…”—Ephesians 5:2

I’ve often yearned for the churches in America to gather together in a covenant and teach on the subject of love for an entire year. I’m convinced that it would become contiguous, from sea to shining sea. The walk of love requires one to be intentional; conscious of. Let me share with you an amazing “rhema” word. The Spirit spoke to me the other day concerning godly love. He said, “Love is the greatest commandment, but yet it is the least taught in the body of Christ.” I found this truth to be astonishing! May the Lord help us to awaken and yield to a life of love for one another through Christ. It is so clear in scripture: By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. John 13:35 (KJV)

Walk as children of light

For ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.

—Ephesians 5:8

I must define “light” in this text. Pardon me if I’m being redundant, but this is important. In Greek it is Phos; meaning light of the sun, or day. “Phos” is never kindled and therefore never quenched. This light of Christ is greater than the sun. We are illuminated with the unquenchable light of the S-O-N (Christ himself) by the glorious gospel, the Holy Ghost, and as believers, we live in fellowship with God, in whom there is no darkness at all. Therefore, children of God, we must henceforth understand what the will of the Lord is; we must shun all that is immoral and impure.

We have a guide, the Holy Ghost; He is the Spirit of Truth. Therefore, he can only lead us in truth. We can trust His guidance. And we have a gauge: The Word of God. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matt. 4:4) Every Christian must take it upon him- or herself to measure everything by The Word- everything! Our hearts, the words we speak, our intentions, how we practice business dealings; marriage, the rearing of our children, and so on. Listen. No one can walk in the ways of God unless he or she is submitted to Him and His Word. Sound like a mouthful? Remember how before you walked in the light, you were in darkness? You had absolutely no consciousness of righteousness because your life was alienated from the life of God through ignorance and blindness of heart, also submitting to evil works. But now you are in the light. In the same manner, yield completely to God by putting off the former conversation, the old man of sin.

May you be filled with the fullness of the light of Christ; may you let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify God the Father, in Jesus’ mighty name.

Walk circumspectly

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time,

because the days are evil. – Ephesian 5:15-16

NOW, I say, beloved, this needs careful attention. I want to plant this next statement into your spirit; After we have awakened to the voice of God and received the light of Christ, we have the responsibility to walk wisely, not as fools who do not understand the times. I needn’t tell you of the evil happening in the world, for it’s all around us (see 2 Timothy 3:1-7). It behooves me to mention an evil that has plagued human beings across the globe: the evil of unbelief. The psalmist declared: A fool says in their heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil (Psalm 14:1). This evil has also crept into the church, and like a malignant cancer, has spread throughout. For this cause apostle Paul declared that in the last days there would be a great falling away. This, beloved, is the great apostasy. There is only one way to escape such a fate...and that is; to adhere totally and completely to true doctrines of the Bible. Many will abandon the faith—the God they once knew—turning to and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Yes beloved, devils have doctrines too. I pray this will not be your lot, in the mighty name of Jesus.

I prophesy over you now, that in the name of Jesus, you will not be found walking as fools, but wise, understanding what the will of God is. I want to encourage you to meditate on the following scriptures.

Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns…making melody in your heart to the Lord (5:19)
Giving thanks always (5:20)
Submitting yourselves one to another (5:21)

I beseech you therefore beloved by the mercies of God, that you will no longer waste time, but redeem the time. Making every opportunity to make every moment count for the Kingdom of God!

May the Father grace you with abundant grace until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.