Daily Devotion: Walk Wisely

Scripture:
Ephesians 5: 1-21

Main Verse:
Ephesians 5: 15-17

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 

Observation:
As Christians, we have an important role in this world. In a dark world that is getting darker by the second, we stand as the light of this world. "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." (v. 8) Therefore, as true followers of Christ, our light as Christians should shine in this world, and in doing so, we bring honor and glory to our Father in heaven.

The apostle Paul's admonition to us is to walk wisely. He urges us to imitate God, walk in love, and discern what pleases the Lord. Since God is our Father, we are to imitate Him as we are His children (v.1). Our goal is to grow more and more into our Lord's likeness. We are to walk in love (v.2). Christ has shown us the greatest example of how we should love others, and that was through the sacrificial offering of his body and blood on the cross. It was the kind of sacrifice that was most pleasing to God, the kind of love that does not ask for something in return. Finally, we need to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Our commitment now that we are in the light in the Lord is to live our lives according to how God has called us to live (vv. 8, 10). 

Application:
When we don't watch where we're going, it is easy for us to stumble and fall. We get hurt and wounded, and the wound does not heal right away. In our Christian walk, we need to walk "not as unwise but as wise." Walking carefully means walking wisely. Walking wisely means walking in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit means not walking in a haphazardly fashion, and that means we must be always careful with our conduct and attitudes. Why are we urged to walk wisely? The apostle Paul warns us that the days are evil. We may not commit extremely evil or murderous acts, but the present days are filled with distractions that take us away from doing the will of God that when we stumble, it might be difficult to stand up again. If we are wise indeed, we will understand that the will of the Lord is not just about God's specific will for our life, rather, it is God's sovereign will, His eternal and overall plan.  "As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand." (Isaiah 14:24) If we are wise indeed, we will understand His desires, His moral will for all of us which has been revealed in the Scripture. We will obey what the Lord has revealed in His Word. We are to "love the Lord with all our heart," "abstain from sexual immorality," "pray without ceasing," and "love your neighbor as you love yourself." Let us choose to walk wisely, live a disciplined life for the Lord, be good stewards of the short life we have here on earth, and submit to the sovereign purposes and plans of the Lord.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Word. I pray, Lord, that I may walk in accordance to your will at all times. May you find me walking in the Spirit, walking wisely, always careful with my thoughts, words, and actions. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, may I always recognize what is good and what is evil, and to fully comprehend your eternal plans and purposes. In Jesus's name I pray. AMEN.