Pursuing Godly Wisdom - November - Day 27

November 27, 2008 …

Passage of the Day: Ephesians 5: 16 [highlight verse in bold] … 15 Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

My Journal for Today: In his devotional entry from Strength for Today on this date, John MacArthur returns to Ephesians 5: 16; and I believe he does so for emphasis to warn Christians, as we search to live lives wrapped in Godly wisdom, about our need for vigilance in this evil, sin-ridden world in which we live. However, though this is our living reality, this world, so wrapped in darkness, presents an ever present opportunity for the Christian to shine brightly in contrast to the darkness (see Matt. 5: 16), … to live a life worthy of our calling in Christ (see Eph. 4: 1-2), … and to do good for fellow believers and for the lost (see Gal. 6: 9 – 10), especially as we aspire to live as Christ lived (see Luke 4: 18), reaching out to make disciples of those He saves from the grips of Satan and the world (see Matt. 28: 19 – 20).

Now, if that doesn’t give Christians a purpose in life, what more could?

Certainly God must grieve at what man has made of His wondrous creation with Satan’s powerful assistance. However, we followers of God, the Son, … the Christ, … have the awesome opportunity and responsibility to put a smile on God’s face as we live circumspectly in Christ by simply following Him (see Eph. 5: 15 in the NKJV) as He commanded us (see Luke 9: 23), and prayerfully leading others to Him with our witness and our walk (see Acts 1: 8).

You know, I really do hope that others read this and get as fired up as I am [especially on this day in 2008, which turns out to be Thanksgiving day] about what we can do for our God in the face of all the evil surrounding us. And we can! We’re not given the responsibility to be in control or to change it all. That’s God’s business. No, all we need to do is do what Christ modeled or commanded and live our lives worthy of Him, following in His footsteps. That's our business! And the irony is, when we do that, we do change the world – and we do so for His glory.

My Prayer Today: In Your Name, Lord, I go forth! Amen