It was strange how fast life could pass a person by one day at a time, year by year without realizing how much time had slipped by.”
–Kenneth Pratt (Willow Falls)
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.”
–Colossians 4:5 (NKJV)
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Redeem: 1) to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something; 2) gain or regain possession of something in exchange for payment.
Redeem, redemption are very much a part of the Christian theology and experience. I have often wondered what Paul meant when he wrote in Ephesians to “redeem the time.” How can one buy back time? How can one compensate for the use of time? How can one regain possession of time? Look at the verse again, using the Amplified translation:
“Making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.” –Ephesians 5:16
The NASB, translates the verse, “Make the most of your time.” The NLT, “Make the most of every opportunity.” In other words, it does not mean paying in exchange for something. Vine states it this way, “to buy up for oneself” and the same word used in Colossians 4:5, means “buying up the opportunity.” Vine continues, “making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed.”
In my reading I came across a piece regarding how we should use our precious, little time. It was written by Nicholas Herman of Lorraine, better known as Brother Lawrence. He is famous for his writings on practicing the presence of God.
“Since, by His mercy, He gives us still a little time, let us begin in earnest, let us redeem the time that is lost, let us return with a whole-hearted trust to this Father of Mercies, who is always ready to receive us into His loving arms. Let us renounce, and renounce generously, with single heart, for the love of Him, all that is not His; He deserves infinitely more. Let us think of Him unceasingly; in Him let us put all our confidence. I doubt not but that we shall soon experience the effects of it in receiving the abundance of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without which we can do naught but sin.
“We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual and continual help of God; let us then pray to Him for it continually. How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him, but in thinking of Him often? And how can we have Him often in our thoughts, unless by a holy habit of thought which we should form? You will tell me that I am always saying the same thing; it is true, for this is the best and easiest method that I know; and as I use no other, I advise the whole world to it. We must know before we can love. In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure!”
To redeem the time because the days are evil. Therefore, we need to make the most of every opportunity to serve Him. We should not waste time, as it belongs to the One who gave it to us and we will be called into account for it. Instead of wasting, or misusing time–think on Him. You want a relationship, then think of the Him with whom you want the relationship. What do you know about God? Do you seek to know more? Perhaps a loose translation could be–“don’t waste God’s time,” or “don’t waste the time He has given you.” Why? Because the days are evil.
As we see more and more evil upon the earth and where you live, we need to be more mindful of how we spend our time. Our thought time, our work time, our play time, our free time, is it being used to come closer to God and for His kingdom?
—————————————-
Redeem: 1) to compensate for the faults or bad aspects of something; 2) gain or regain possession of something in exchange for payment.
Redeem, redemption are very much a part of the Christian theology and experience. I have often wondered what Paul meant when he wrote in Ephesians to “redeem the time.” How can one buy back time? How can one compensate for the use of time? How can one regain possession of time? Look at the verse again, using the Amplified translation:
“Making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.” –Ephesians 5:16
The NASB, translates the verse, “Make the most of your time.” The NLT, “Make the most of every opportunity.” In other words, it does not mean paying in exchange for something. Vine states it this way, “to buy up for oneself” and the same word used in Colossians 4:5, means “buying up the opportunity.” Vine continues, “making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed.”
In my reading I came across a piece regarding how we should use our precious, little time. It was written by Nicholas Herman of Lorraine, better known as Brother Lawrence. He is famous for his writings on practicing the presence of God.
“Since, by His mercy, He gives us still a little time, let us begin in earnest, let us redeem the time that is lost, let us return with a whole-hearted trust to this Father of Mercies, who is always ready to receive us into His loving arms. Let us renounce, and renounce generously, with single heart, for the love of Him, all that is not His; He deserves infinitely more. Let us think of Him unceasingly; in Him let us put all our confidence. I doubt not but that we shall soon experience the effects of it in receiving the abundance of His grace, with which we can do all things, and without which we can do naught but sin.
“We cannot escape the dangers which abound in life, without the actual and continual help of God; let us then pray to Him for it continually. How can we pray to Him without being with Him? How can we be with Him, but in thinking of Him often? And how can we have Him often in our thoughts, unless by a holy habit of thought which we should form? You will tell me that I am always saying the same thing; it is true, for this is the best and easiest method that I know; and as I use no other, I advise the whole world to it. We must know before we can love. In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure!”
To redeem the time because the days are evil. Therefore, we need to make the most of every opportunity to serve Him. We should not waste time, as it belongs to the One who gave it to us and we will be called into account for it. Instead of wasting, or misusing time–think on Him. You want a relationship, then think of the Him with whom you want the relationship. What do you know about God? Do you seek to know more? Perhaps a loose translation could be–“don’t waste God’s time,” or “don’t waste the time He has given you.” Why? Because the days are evil.
As we see more and more evil upon the earth and where you live, we need to be more mindful of how we spend our time. Our thought time, our work time, our play time, our free time, is it being used to come closer to God and for His kingdom?