AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Sunday – December 5, 2021, Tevet 1, 5782
A WELL OF TRUTH
BEST USE OF TIME – PART FOUR
Greetings dear and precious brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and welcome back to our Sunday Bible Study from ‘A Well of Truth’. As you know from the title we will continue today with the study of “redeeming the time” or as I have put it, making the best use of time. Before we delve into our study, please take a moment and share these teachings as widely as possible to expand the reach of this Ministry by itself. Thank you for sharing. Now let’s read our Ephesians text continuing to read aloud, yes, out loud.
Ephesians 5:13-17 (KJV)
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Bold added)
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
The only true tool for correction is light which is the Anointed Word of God, the Truth. In verse fourteen at first it appears he is talking simply to saints who are not engaged however the remainder of the verse identifies them as dead (in sin). Christ, the Messiah, is the light, life giving light. Once you are arisen we are to walk circumspectly (cautiously, vigilantly, carefully, guardedly, and thoughtfully). To do otherwise is to be a fool. The Lord speaking through the Apostle Paul is telling us to make the best use of time. Why? The days are evil, they were evil then and they are for sure evil now. We tend to think that we are living in the evilest days ever, but that is just not so, there have been awful things from the day Cain killed Abel. Think about what brought the flood of Noah, and the wickedness that brought the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah just to mention two in the Bible. How are we to be wise and know the will of God? The light of Christ. Look at this earlier passage.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (KJV)
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
How might one follow God as a dear child. As in the natural you have to have your eyes on the Father going, doing, and saying all that He says. We cannot be followers of God, though we might say so, and not know anything about Him. The word ‘followers’ here means to mimic or imitate. Since we cannot see the Father the only way to mimic or imitate Him is to know the Word of God. Not only know it but do it. How does one walk in love? This is the God kind of love, agape, the same love we are capable of as born-again persons. Walking in love (agape) requires we be doing the Scripture, we have selfless motivations, and we walk in the Blood Covenant. In order to do the Scripture, we must know the Scripture. Just as Jesus was a sacrifice for us so are we a sacrifice for Him. He came and died in every way for us. We are not called to die physically for Him but we are required to die to self. Without this we are not truly walking with Him or walking in love (agape). In a nutshell these two verses tell how to walk circumspectly, redeem the time (make the best use of time), and be wise knowing the will of God.
Hopefully you know the accounts of the talents (Matthew 25) and the pounds (Luke 19). You will recall that the ones who used the time the Master was away wisely doubled what they had. When the time of accounting to the Master came those who had gained what He had given them received great reward. However, in both accounts the one we hide the pound or talent, was lazy, had it taken from him and had a terrible end. See the following verses.
Matthew 25:28-30 (KJV)
28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Luke 19:24-27 (KJV)
24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
He called them unprofitable and enemies! These are not words I want to hear or will hear. Let us make the best and fullest use of our time knowing the will of God and doing it. Remember, first above all must be our focus on the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, busy about the Father’s business.
Lord willing, I will have fresh manner next Sunday.
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Until our next publication, as your Bible Teacher and a Prophetic Voice in your life I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, doubt it not, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus’ name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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