Kingdom Tension Part 15
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Tension,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
Last week in our Kingdom Tension series, we focused on the incredible love and power of God. This week, we’re building on that foundation by looking at what it means to live with purpose.
Ephesians 5:8-16 (NIV)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 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.
Paul reminds us that we were once darkness, but now, in Jesus, we are light. That’s more than a spiritual status; it’s a call to action. He tells us to “live as children of light,” pursuing goodness, righteousness, and truth, and to make the most of every opportunity. In other words, don’t drift through life. Don’t fall asleep at the wheel. Redeem the time.
That phrase ‘redeem the time’ is powerful. It means we’re called to make the most of the moments we’re given, using them wisely for God’s purposes. The days we live in are challenging, filled with distractions, confusion, and brokenness. But that’s precisely why it matters how we live. When we’re alert, walking in wisdom, we can bring light into dark places; whether that’s through a conversation, an act of kindness, a prayer, or simply showing up when someone needs support.
Too often, we go through life in a fog. We get to the weekend and wonder where the week went. But Paul is calling us to a different way of life, one where we’re intentional and full of purpose.
Zooming out, we see that the Bible tells a story that begins and ends in a garden—with a wedding, a serpent, and the Tree of Life. In Genesis, we see the fall. In Revelation, we see the restoration. The enemy is defeated, and the tree reappears, offering eternal life. The story comes full circle.
And right now, we’re living in the middle of that story. Between Genesis and Revelation, between the Fall and the full restoration, God is using His people to keep telling His story. The book of Acts ends abruptly, not because the story is over, but because we are still living it. We’re not adding to scripture, but we are part of God’s ongoing work in the world.
This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.
