Ephesians 5:15-15 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ephesians is such incredibly condensed grace, wisdom, and truth! Fully lived out, it results in a glorious life in Christ indeed. We see people all around us who are manifestly not wise in how they live, ignoring God and choosing trash over the riches that God offers them. That’s not how we are to live! Recently I’ve preached a couple of sermons on how everything God gives us has a purpose, all the way down to life itself. It is certainly the course of wisdom to find out the purpose of each thing in our lives and make the best use of them. Sometimes we see people doing things with their lives that could be compared to trying to use a hammer to turn a screw! God will give us all the wisdom we need, if we ask Him with faith (James 1:5). The thing is, we need to exercise the wisdom we have already been given! Just as muscles that aren’t exercised won’t grow and faith that isn’t tested won’t grow, so wisdom that isn’t used won’t grow. We sometimes put ourselves down, saying things like, “I’m so stupid,” or, “I’m not wise like they are.” That accomplishes nothing good. We have a strong tendency to live up to our expectations, whether they be good or bad. If we see ourselves as God’s children, led by the Holy Spirit to do His will, for our good and the blessing of those around us, then that is how we will live. That’s wise, because that’s what God desires and intends. That’s not at all conceit, because it recognizes that the power and ability lie in God, not in us, and it gives Him the glory. If that is how we see ourselves, then we will be expecting opportunities to bless people and communicate God’s grace and love to them, and we will recognize and make the best use of those opportunities.

I would certainly not be wise if I taught this to others and failed to do it myself! People tend to expect this sort of thing from me because I am a “professional Christian,” but it is fully applicable to every believer in Jesus Christ. When we create tiers of Christians – clergy, laity, and many subdivisions within those – we are creating expectation of mediocrity for the vast majority of believers. As Paul, James and others stressed, God doesn’t play favorites; He wants us all to be vibrant, joyful, victorious, fruitful believers! As a pastor, I am to communicate that to as many people as possible, with all the grace and wisdom He provides, because that is His will.

Father, thank you again for Your grace. It can be terribly frustrating when people refuse it. Keep me from taking such refusals personally. Help me rather intercede for them, administering Your grace in its various forms, as Peter said. (1 Peter 4:10) May I accept and exercise the wisdom You give, making the best use indeed of every opportunity, so that Your name may be hallowed, Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!