The Believer's Time In Evil Days

We live in days of peril. These are the days when a simple walk in the park requires one to protect oneself (not physically, but spiritually). These are the days when the culture does Satan's work for him. These days, though, are no different from any other days. No matter the era, Christians living in the world (but not of it) always required living defensively and with discernment. To guard against evil's influences and infiltration in our lives, the Christian is called to live warily of this world and expectantly of the world to come. Because of these evil days, we are prone to guard our own lives. For a moment, though, perhaps we should consider the implications of this truth in our relationships and responsibilities towards others.

Paul offers help in the book of Ephesians. In chapter 5, as Paul contrasts life in the light with life in the darkness, he writes, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Those words capture the essence of a Christian’s life in the world.

The Lord has graciously allotted each person a specific term of life. The date on which that term begins, or ends is unknown until it happens. The allocation of days is limited to the Lord’s discretion, and the eternal value of those days is determined by how they are used for the Lord.

In Ephesians 5:15-16 Paul issues a warning: these days are evil. This is crucial because if we are not convinced that these days are evil, we will be content with evil days. How do we respond? By making the most of our time and living wisely. Considering these evil days, we must live in the word, work, and will of God.

When Paul writes, "making the best use of the time because the days are evil," I am slightly startled. Indeed, these days are evil, and evil days demand a response. How do we make the most of the time, then? The answer to that question must concentrate on the gospel. The response to evil these days is by preaching the good news of the coming days. Because evil in the current time is only neutralized by the work of Christ on the cross, we preach Christ and the cross. A wise use of the time given by God is to use it for God’s glory by spreading the gospel. We may lament these evil days. We may even use them to call upon the Lord. However, we need not do so in despair because the Lord will one day inaugurate His kingdom, a day when evil will be vanquished. And we need not despair because the Lord continues his work, even in these evil days. The gospel, by the work of the Spirit, is still effective in overcoming evil and bringing about change. Let us, as believers called to a temporary life in this world, make the most of our time by making the most of the gospel.