Ephesians 5:15-17

5:15

Be very – extra, beyond normal bounds

careful – watching out, alert, paying attention, look for warning signs of danger

then – therefore. Because I am light and because I want the Light to keep shining in and through me, therefore …

how you live – lifestyle, thought patterns, habits, routines. It takes much concerted effort to break out of a rut, a routine. God of Light, help me.

not … but – short contrast between opposite alternatives

as unwise – First alternative: not paying attention, following the crowd or following my own routine, my rut. Oblivious to dangers, warning signs, of ultimate result of this routing. Living for today. This is folly.

as wise – Second option: paying attention, mindful of tomorrow’s consequences or benefits for today’s actions. Aware of God’s presence in all my choices and behavior.

5:16

making – energy, effort, personal investment; the increase of good is not exclusively God’s responsibility. I must invest in this project as well.

the most – maximizing, get all I can

of every – don’t be lazy, keep focused, don’t miss a single …

opportunity – sounds like a training course for a sales job. Always go for a sale. Close the deal. What opportunity(ies) does Paul have in mind? Doing good, advancing the Kingdom, shining God’s light. I guess this third thought fits the context best, although the first two could be connected.

because – reason for maximizing opportunities

the days – this present period of time

are – present tense; still true today

evil – darkness, secrecy, harming others, using others, self-centered “using people and loving things”

5:17

Therefore – as a result of: (1) Light exposing disobedience, and (2) The prevalence of evil…

do not be – warning against, instruction to avoid

foolish – acting in a way I will regret tomorrow; live to have fun now with no thought of the consequences

but – contrast, replace “foolish” with…

understand – be aware, pay attention to what is happening and what will or could happen, ask the hard “why” questions, seek God’s perspective on the evil and the light

what the Lord’s will is – What does the Boss want done? Many believers like to use the phrase, “Lord, have Your will.” This sounds very spiritual and they defend the practice by quoting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Thine be done.” At least two problems with that appear:

First, that statement of submission came at the end of the prayer. Jesus had already wrestled with the Father over the pending crisis. In contrast, many today simply list a problem and immediately say (in effect) “have your will.”

The second problem was suggested in the first: Jesus wrestled, contended with the Father, seeking a different solution to the problem of the sins of the world. This is consistent with His entire ministry. Daily—even hourly—He consulted with God the Father to sense what the Father was doing. Then He acted accordingly.

If my boss called me to his office and mentioned a certain problem in the company, what would I do? Would I just say, “Well, boss, whatever you want to do is okay with me. Just have your will, boss.” No. He and I are meeting to exchange views and discuss solutions. Obviously, as the boss, he has the final say. But I, as part of the team, can influence his decision.

I contend that we act most like Jesus and most like the great servants of God when first, we seek to understand God’s will. Then second we venture suggested solutions. And finally when we submit to His decision. But jumping immediately to the last step: (1) short circuits the process; (2) constitutes false submission; and (3) robs both God and me of the intimate relationship He wants and I need.