The Book of Ephesians Part 8: Buying Time
The Book of Ephesians Part 8 - Buying Time
Ephesians 5:15-21
Buying Time: Living Wisely in an Unwise World
In a world filled with endless distractions and competing philosophies, how do we navigate life with purpose and meaning? The answer lies not in human wisdom, but in understanding what Scripture teaches us about living wisely in these challenging times.
What Does It Mean to "Buy Time"?
When we talk about "buying time," we often think of procrastination or creating buffers for ourselves. But there's a danger in this approach - while we wait for the "perfect moment," we might miss the opportunities God places before us. As the proverb says, "If a farmer waits for the right time, he never plants."
Many people have incredible plans, detailed blueprints, and theoretical timelines, but when asked when they'll start, they respond, "I'm just waiting for the right time." This mindset can prevent us from stepping into what God has prepared for us.
The Context of Paul's Message to Ephesus
Paul wrote to the Ephesians, people living in a wealthy port city filled with commerce and religious diversity - much like our modern world. Ephesus was a place where people had resources and spiritual interests, yet struggled with division and uncertainty about their identity in Christ.
In the first three chapters of Ephesians, Paul establishes that God has made believers one body, breaking down barriers and revealing a mystery that was hidden until the right time. Now, in chapters 4 and 5, he shifts to practical application - how should we live in light of these truths?
Why Is Wisdom Intentional?
Wisdom differs from mere knowledge or intelligence. While knowledge can come through experience, wisdom is intentional. It combines experience, insight, and good judgment to guide us toward sound decisions and meaningful living.
Consider this workplace example: A knowledgeable employee might complain about company policies all day, while a wise employee asks the boss why certain policies were implemented. The wise person discovers there's usually sound reasoning behind decisions, while the knowledgeable person remains frustrated and unproductive.
The Characteristics of Wisdom
Wisdom promotes:
- Emotional balance
- Patience
- Humility
- Ethical behavior
- Personal growth
- Stronger relationships
The most humble people are often the wisest people. We may know many smart individuals, but truly wise people are rarer. Smart people can make foolish choices, leaving us baffled by their decisions.
How Does Maturity Connect to Wisdom?
Wisdom can only come through maturity, and maturity has nothing to do with age. Some people have lengthy life resumes but still struggle with the same issues they faced decades ago. They're still making the same mistakes, going to the same places, and expecting different results.
Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13:11: "When I was a child, I spoke like a child and thought like a child, reasoned like a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." Notice the word "when" - it's definitive, not conditional.
The problem is that some people don't want that time to come because maturity requires handling conflicts that scare them. It's easier to stay in a miserable but familiar situation than risk the uncertainty of where God might be leading.
What Does It Mean to Make the Most of Every Opportunity?
Paul instructs us to "make the most of every opportunity" or "redeem the time." This means buying up every chance we get to serve God's purposes. But this requires trust in God's timing, even when it seems risky or uncertain.
A Personal Testament to God's Timing
Sometimes God calls us to make decisions that seem counterintuitive to worldly wisdom. There are moments when we must choose between security and obedience, between what makes sense financially and what God is calling us to do.
The key is understanding that God's timing is perfect. He's often just waiting for us to take advantage of the opportunities He presents. When we trust His timing and step out in faith, He provides everything we need - maybe not everything we want, but everything we need.
How Do We Live Wisely in Practice?
Examine Your Maturity Level
Ask yourself: Are your actions, thoughts, and words reflecting maturity? Do they show someone who has learned from experience and is seeking something better, or someone stuck in repetitive patterns?
Discipline Your Thoughts
Disciplined thought leads to disciplined action. What occupies your mind? Paul encourages us to set our minds on things above, not earthly concerns. When our thoughts are disciplined and focused on God's purposes, our actions naturally align with His will.
Six Practical Steps to Wise Living
- Live awake, not distracted - Avoid "doom scrolling" and other time-wasting activities
- Use your time intentionally - Shape your life around God's values
- Respond to God's promptings immediately - Don't harden your heart when you hear His voice
- Resist the spiritual drift of this age - Don't conform to worldly patterns
- Stay filled with the Holy Spirit - This is your source of power and guidance
- Live with eternity in view - Remember that this life is temporary
Why Is Being Filled with the Holy Spirit Essential?
Before Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, He was filled with the Holy Spirit. The only way He could overcome difficult times was through the Spirit's power. Similarly, the only way we can overcome our challenges is by being filled with the Spirit.
A life filled with the Holy Spirit can take on anything - jail, depression, bankruptcy, or whatever challenges arise. As Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This isn't positive thinking; it's spiritual reality.
How Do We Redeem Our Time?
We redeem our time through three key practices:
Worship
Everything we do should be an act of worship. How we interact, serve, and meet with others reflects our devotion to God.Gratitude
Especially during seasons like Thanksgiving, we remember what God has done. Gratitude isn't about the turkey and stuffing - it's about recognizing that we've made it through another year by God's grace.Godly Community
We strengthen each other through fellowship, prayer, and mutual encouragement. When we gather to support one another, we're practicing wisdom in community.Life Application
This week, commit to living wisely by taking these specific steps:
Evaluate your life under God's Word. Stop drifting through life seeking distractions. Instead, discern God's will for your daily decisions. Stay filled with the Holy Spirit through daily prayer and devotion. Practice gratitude through worship, remembering that God accepts your praise regardless of how perfectly you think you perform it.
Most importantly, seize the moment. Stop waiting for the perfect time and start responding to God's promptings immediately. Trust that His timing is perfect, even when it requires stepping out of your comfort zone.
Questions for Reflection:
- What opportunities is God presenting to you right now that you've been avoiding due to fear or uncertainty?
- Are your daily thoughts and actions reflecting spiritual maturity, or are you stuck in patterns that aren't serving God's purposes?
- How can you better discern God's will in your current circumstances instead of relying on your own understanding?
- What specific step of faith is God calling you to take this week, and what's preventing you from taking it?
