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Wake Up and Shine: The Days Are Short and Evil

Ephesians 5:6-21

The Need to Wake Up: The Existence of Evil

Paul leads into his cry for the Ephesians to wake up by a description of the condition of society in general.  The truth is that his description fits everywhere at any time in human history.  This evil has been present from the first human disobedience by Adam and Eve in the garden.  It did not take long for that evil to appear when Cain slew his brother Abel out of jealousy for not receiving God’s recognition for his egotistic and disobedient sacrifice.  Bible and secular history are filled with examples of atrocities performed by men and women.  Man’s wicked acts would leave the animal world blushing if that were possible.

However, the deliberate ignorance of man’s evil condition by those enlightened by God is worse than the actions of men.  Refusing to take part in those actions is not enough to withstand the evil that is in the world.  Those who have received the light are not to place it under a bushel or shine it within a secluded area.  Jesus said that the light should placed upon the hill to shine upon the darkness all around.  Paul describes the attitude of ignorance as being asleep.  A person who is asleep is oblivious to all that is going on around him.  The call to the Christian is to wake up and pay attention to the conditions around him letting the light of Christ shine through him to reveal the wickedness around him.  Paul says that this is wisdom, while to remain obliviously asleep is foolishness.

The Purpose to Wake Up: To Walk

Waking up is not enough.  We are to become active.  Paul says, “See then that ye walk…”.  Walking is an action that requires effort, purpose, and direction.  The word “walk” can be replaced with the word “live”.  Receiving the light of the Gospel without living and proclaiming it is to fall asleep or hide it under a bushel.  Paul gives practical instructions about how we are to be walking.

• We are to redeem the time or the span of life.  This would apply both to the Christian and to those around him.  The word “redeem” means to place value upon the time and do whatever necessary to make use of it.  James tells us that life is like a vapor that is here and then gone.  Since it is only during this life that sinful man can receive redemption and reconciliation (Hebrews 9:27), the urgency for the light to shine in the darkened heart of sin is undeniable.  If there is rejoicing in heaven over one soul that repents, there should be no time or effort lost in trying to reach those lost in sin.  Not only the urgency, but the cost of the payment provided for the redemption proves the importance of the redemption of the soul.
• Since walking requires direction, Paul says that we are to know the will of God.  To know the will of God and obey is to walk “circumspectly “or carefully.  God has given general directions in His commandments and principles recorded in His Word.  These are the guidelines that allow the Christian to walk in the open and safe paths allowing the light to shine brightly.  These principles remove all objects that could block or weaken the influence of that light.  He also gives specific direction for each believer as the Holy Spirit speaks directly to the heart of the believer through the application of the Word.  The where’s, the when’s, and the what’s of the walk become undeniably clear to the heart of the believer who is walking in the light.
• From the beginning of time, God never intended for man to walk alone.  He showed up in the cool of every day to walk with Adam and Eve.  Even after man rebelliously disobeyed God, He showed up to confront man and resolve the problem the best way possible.  After the completion of the resolution to the problem of sin by Christ’s death burial and resurrection, God the Holy Spirit has come to abide in every believer.  The purpose of that coming is to make possible a walk with and in the Holy Spirit.  Paul writes to the Ephesians telling them that they are to be filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).  He writes to the Galatians telling them to walk in the Spirit or be led by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).  In his letter to the Romans, he tells them that because they are in the Holy Spirit they are to walk after Him (Romans 8:5).  In other words, Paul is saying that the very purpose of salvation is to make it possible for the believer to walk with and in complete dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
• This walk leads to the praise of God, to a thankful heart and to love and service to other believers.  The praise is the out flowing of the recognition of who God is and His relation to the believer.  The praise is honor and glory to God and encouraging and motivating to other believers (Ephesians 5:19).  It is in the heart of every true believer and the source of all exaltation and thanksgiving to God.  In recognition to the example and beneficiary of all the blessings of God, the believer that is walking with the Lord shows the light by his compassion and love toward others.  This light provides the illumination of truth bringing the lost out of the dark as a beacon upon the shoreline pointing to the safe harbor in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

Being in the light is the greatest blessing anyone can receive.  Besides being rescued from the inevitable destruction of the darkness of sin, the believer has the privilege to walk with God in the light.  However, the privilege comes with a responsibility to be actively involved in illuminating the path for the lost to see the way to Christ, the light of the world.  The urgency does not allow a selfish enjoyment of the light being oblivious to the danger of eternal punishment waiting for those who stay in the darkness.  If you are a sleeping Christian, wake up.  If you are an alert Christian, stay that way by walking in the Spirit letting your light shine before men.