By Robert L. Olsen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Walking Wisely
Ephesians 5:15–21
Be Wise (15–17)
The Christian life is one of intention. As we intentionally follow Christ, God reveals to us what He wants us to do in any given situation.
Some people think knowing God’s will is a difficult task — that somehow God has a special secret plan for each person that is largely unknowable. But this is not the case. One way we follow God’s will is by acting as Christians in our daily lives.
Through the past hundred years or so in the United States one of the problems of Christianity has been that many people believe they are Christians because they live in the U.S. However, many have had no discipleship and live in ways antithetical to the gospel. With many people no longer claiming to be Christian because it is not socially expedient to be so the Church has an opportunity to represent Christ well. Christians today are forced to count the cost of following Jesus and once you count the cost and believe Jesus is worth following you understand that culture is at odds with God.
Living an intentional Christian life means trying to please God in every area of living. This gives us an opportunity to show the world what Christians live like, leading to an opportunity to share why we live the way we live — the gospel.
In Paul’s day it was easy to recognize evil. Pagan temples, gladiator games, persecution of Christians — these made it easy for the Christians to recognize this world was not their home and they looked forward to their eternal destination. It is not too different for us today in our country.
The culture is increasingly at odds with Christianity which makes the divide between Christians and non-Christians easier to see. Therefore the need for people to hear the gospel is growing in the U.S. In fact, by some studies we have the fourth largest number of non-Christians in the world behind China, India and Indonesia.
Christians can’t sit back and squander the time God has given us. We need to glorify God in how we live and act and part of that is in how we interact with those around us who are lost in a confusing and dying world.
Be Filled (18)
Paul tells us to be wise in this world. One way Christians exhibit wisdom is in their avoidance of mind-altering substances. The problem with alcohol is that when people have too much they lose control of their emotions, coordination and actions.
This prohibition against drunkenness applies to other forms of mind-altering substances as well. Various drugs cause the user to act in ways contrary to God’s will. Christians are wise not to intentionally take drugs recreationally, legal or not, that cause the user to lose control of his or her actions and emotions.
Paul contrasts the mind-altering effects of wine with the need to be filled with the effects of the Holy Spirit. This does not suggest that Christians can have the Holy Spirit and then lose the Holy Spirit, but rather Christians need to allow themselves to be controlled by the Spirit.
Be Genuine (19–21)
Once we are influenced by the Holy Spirit a natural consequence is the uplifting of one another by encouraging them in gospel truths. One of the best ways to encourage one another is in the singing of hymns and affirming biblical truths.
Therefore Christians should know Scripture and songs that reflect the Bible and biblical truths accurately so we can remain encouraged and press on in service to the Lord.
Furthermore, Christians need to be thankful. Paul was thankful even in the midst of persecution. Christians can represent the security of our salvation and our trust in Christ by possessing a thankful attitude, especially as we enter into the season of Thanksgiving.
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