David Bahn – Reflections

Ephesians 5:15-21

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰  giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹  submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Look around today. Many people live without moral compass, indulging their passions, satisfying their own greedy desires, trampling over others, aloof from the common people and dismissive of any claims God may make on their lives. They don’t have any care of what God’s will is. They indulge in drugs and alcohol without restraint. Their manner of speech is course, rude and vulgar. They never thank God for anything – except as an expression of sarcastic dismissal. They require everyone else to submit to them. And they seem to be doing quite well.

They drive the nicest cars. They stay at the most exclusive resorts. They travel first class. They wear the finest clothes. Far from being the salt of the earth they are the top of the heap! They seem to get along just fine.

So what difference does it make whether we even try to follow Jesus or not? Why even try to be wise, temperate, spiritually-guided, worshipful, thankful, and submissive to Christ? Does it really matter all that much if we tow the line or not?

The call to walk in wisdom is a call to kingdom living. The reality is that God’s kingdom is the only eternal one. All others will crumble and fall. All others will fade away. But God’s kingdom is eternal. And God’s people reflect that belief in their behavior and attitude. If we calibrate our lives by means of worldly success, we might dismiss the Christian lifestyle. But if we are living within the eternal realities of the riches of God’s kingdom any worldly success or pleasure will be grounded in thankfulness to God and wisdom toward daily choices.

They say in real estate, “Location, location, location” is what matters. That’s true in life. If we locate our life in Christ – the only source of true life – we must honor him by how we live. The nice cars, fine clothes, first class travel, and every other trapping of the world may never come to us. But we have a treasure by which we center our hearts and lives in Christ, and live to the honor of his name.