Redeeming the Time

Time is a thousand times more precious than money, and when it is gone, it cannot be purchased for money and cannot be redeemed by silver or gold. Johnathan Edwards

We started this short series on time by looking at time as being a treasure of great worth. Today, we will look at how we can redeem this gift of time that we have been given. Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV) says,

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Paul encourages the church at Ephesus to make the best use of their time. The New King James version of the Bible puts it this way: “redeem the time.” He goes on to give a reason for the importance of redeeming the time – “because the days are evil.” There is a mysterious law of reciprocity at work when we redeem the time. To redeem the time that God has given us is to take it from Him to cash it in, purchase it back from Him, as it were. When we do this, verse 15 says, we will walk as wise, not as unwise. Wisdom is certainly needed in the evil days we live in. Every day, we are exposed to what’s happening globally that could be labelled as evil - The injustice caused by war, persecution of those who cannot fend for themselves, or the subtle evil perpetrated by words spoken out online that call for harming others simply because they hold to a different worldview. But we also see this happening closer to home – in our families, at work, at school or in our neighbourhoods.

Walk As the Wise

When we are confronted with such evil, what is our response? Are we lulled into stupefaction, or are we awakened to the fact that, as God’s children, we are to be careful with how we use our time? The New King James Version uses the word “circumspect”, which means to be vigilant, to guard our time as if it were a precious commodity. When we guard our time, we are more likely to use it wisely. We will not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. The Lord desires for us to use our time to do the work that He has appointed for us and to do it while we still can (John 9:4).

So let us be wise and untangle ourselves from Satan’s distractions that are mind-numbing and soul-destroying - chasing after the wind. Let us be wise and spend our time on praying and reading the Word. On being peacemakers. On nurturing our relationships. On encouraging one another. On using the gifts and talents God has given us to help others. On forgiving others. On speaking to a colleague about the Lord. On things that have eternal value. Let us be about our Father’s business. Let us redeem the time, because the days are evil.

God gives us many things without limit – His love, His grace and many others. But His gift of time is strictly measured. John McArthur

Reflection

Take time to think about how you can untangle yourself from Satan’s distractions and use your time wisely so that you honour God in how you spend your time.

Prayer

Thank You, Heavenly Father, that I can redeem the time that You have given me. Show me how I can untangle myself from Satan’s distractions. Help me be wise, not foolish, with how I spend my time. I submit the time that You have given me into Your hands. Help me to be about Your business so that I may glorify Your name. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.