Ephesians 5:14b–16 (NKJV)

Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”

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

This comes as an odd twist after all the preceding admonishment to put off the old self and put on the new and to walk as light, as Christ walked, without even a hint of immorality.

Therefore, we’re to wake up and arise from the dead. How’s that?

Well, the American revival in the 1730s & 40s was known as The Great Awakening for a reason. Describing modern Christians as needing to wake up or even arise from the dead is a reasonable metaphor. We sure could use a great awakening right about now. Apparently, the Ephesian Christians could use one too.

But there’s a bigger point at the end of this passage. Why do the Ephesians need to redeem the time, because the days are evil? What does Paul mean by, “the days are evil”? What does it mean to redeem time?

Paul is saying that they live in an age of evil. Historians agree; this Roman era was known for many things, but not for righteousness. Ephesus was particularly hedonistic.

Thus, the Ephesian Christians need to be extra careful. Redeeming the time here just means not wasting it.

See then that you walk circumspectly. Don’t lose focus, and don’t lose time.

Evil days are upon us again. We know this, but we don’t think of it in terms of redeeming the time. We should; the situation is urgent. That’s what redeeming the time is all about. We don’t have time to waste.

This is frustrating. Christians complain about all the terrible things going on, but they rarely do anything about it.

And if they do something, it’s often political activity. Politics isn’t the answer.

Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing wrong with getting involved in politics. It’s just that political victories aren’t the long term answer. Just look at the ultimate political victory – Emperor Constantine’s conversion. Instead of being a great deliverance, it virtually ended the church’s rapid growth period.

The answer is the gospel. We desperately need a revival. Pray for one. We don’t have time to waste.

The weekly study guides, which include all five devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies