Ephesians 5:15

Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Christ himself divided the whole human family along this fundamental line of cleavage, "the wise and the foolish," the wise being those who "hear the sayings of Jesus and do them," the foolish being those who hear and do not (Matthew 7:24ff). Paul here referred to that same basic division of mankind, showing that Christians themselves are in no manner exempt from doing God's will.

Redeeming the time ... "This does not carry the idea of paying a particular price, but of `making the most of' the time.[15] How true this was of the time when Paul penned these words. Within a very few years, Rome would be burned, and Nero would drown the Christians in blood to divert suspicion from himself that he personally had set it on fire. Jerusalem would fall to the armies of Vespasian and Titus; and the accumulated wrath of God for centuries of rebellion would finally overflow against Israel. Many who read these words for the first time would soon suffer persecution and death. The days were indeed evil; and only a little while remained before the storm would overwhelm the world, only a little while to walk in the light and joy of the loving service of Christ the Lord.