April 2nd, 2025
by Josh Strelecki
by Josh Strelecki
The carnal believer, walks as a man and wastes time on fleeting vanity, but the spiritual man, walks as a son of God and redeems it with the wisdom of Christ. One squanders earthly resources for no gain, while the other, endued with divine wisdom, invests in eternity. The difference – one spends the other redeems.
Today, it seems, we cannot talk about walking or running without also recording our steps and time. If your a walker or sprinter you understand it isn’t only about the overall timing of the meet, but the proper techniques within certain segments of time. Segments of time in cross country or track are often referred to as “splits.” Splits indicate the time taken to complete specific portions of a race, helping athletes gauge their pace throughout the event. How do you hit your marks? You buy into the proper techniques that grant you each millisecond of time to hit your splits and win the race.
Walking Circumspectly by Redeeming the Time in Our Walk
In Ephesians, it was only a matter of time (all pun intended) before Paul would address the matter of time in the believers walk. Whether physically walking or spiritually walking time is to be considered in one way or another. All is being drawn to the dispensation of the fulness of times (Ephesians 1:10) that the fulness of His purpose in Christ would be realized (Ephesians 1:9).
In Ephesians chapter 5, we are called to “redeem the time,” a concept that resonates deeply when we consider its context. As believers, interconnected with Paul’s imperatives and rooted identity in Christ, we are not just to see ourselves justified and sanctified in God’s sight, but to actively engage in the transforming of our mind. Walking circumspectly, not as fools but wise, we recognize the fleeting nature of time amid evil days. Paul illuminates our journey by contrasting darkness and light, urging us not only to distance ourselves from the unfruitful works of darkness but to manifest light and truth in these evil days. This duality between our past blindness and our current enlightenment in Christ motivates our every step. As we embrace who we are in Him, each moment becomes a divine opportunity to bring forth God’s wisdom and goodness into the world. Let us, therefore, meditate upon the glory and urgency of this exhortation, living with purposeful intent, redeeming each precious moment given to us.
Walking circumspectly involves more than just cautious living; it requires us to actively reprove and expose the unfruitful works of darkness that pervade our world. Our life is not just about avoidance of sin but about manifesting the light that now dwells within us. Redeeming the time calls for us to make wise decisions, aligning our daily lives with the purpose and identity we have in Christ. Inherent in this call is the recognition that the days are filled with evil, yet in this bleak landscape, we are called to be beacons of light, offering something uniquely different—a life infused with God’s wisdom and goodness. The concept of a “circumspect walk” is intricately connected with “redeeming the time” as it instructs believers to approach their daily lives with careful consideration amidst a world characterized by evil days. A circumspect walk involves looking around with spiritual awareness, being mindful of one’s actions and decisions in light of biblical truth, and aligning one’s life with the wisdom and righteousness that God provides. This approach to life encourages believers to be intentional about utilizing every opportunity, ensuring that their time is spent in ways that honor God and reflect their identity in Christ. By walking circumspectly, believers are equipped to redeem the time by bringing light into darkness and demonstrating the goodness, righteousness, and truth of the Spirit, thereby transforming mundane moments into spiritually fruitful ones.
Perspective of Time
When examining the concept of time, we observe two distinct perspectives that shape our understanding and utilization of it. The first perspective views time as a linear progression, a constant, unwavering march from past to present, and onto the future. From the beginning unto the end. This viewpoint often encapsulates the reality that our lives are bound by the constraints of minutes, hours, days, and years, each moment fleeting and irretrievable. This view inherently acknowledges the temporality of our earthly existence and implores us to make the most of the time allotted, consciously discerning how we, as believers in Christ, might align our walk with His will, redeeming every moment in these evil days.
Another perspective of time is akin to viewing it through the lens of opportunities and seasons rather than a mere succession of identical units. It recognizes the seasons as “splits” of time within this flow of time to be most fruitful and impactful. This view values the significance of moments—the appointed times ordained by God where His divine purpose unfolds in our lives. It suggests a qualitative rather than a quantitative examination of our temporal pilgrimage, understanding that in redeeming the time, we aren’t merely counting the hours but are earnestly seeking the God-given opportunities that each moment presents. Through this lens, time is not just a linear sequence but a tapestry of divine appointments entrusted to us, a chance to manifest the fruit of the Spirit and to reflect the light of Christ in a world shrouded in darkness. With such an understanding, we recognize the scarcity and transient nature of these opportunities, propelling us to utilize each season with wisdom to bear good fruit, unveiling the eternal amid the temporal.
The dispensation of the grace of God, the institutions of God, the seasons of age are God given, yet temporal and all contribute to these divine appointments. Each possess their own ordinances, consist of their own flow, integrated together, worked out, and experienced by those under them and fruitful in those exercised by them. Thus, we don’t wait for opportunity – we have therefore opportunity.
The Redemption in Redeeming the Time
As we delve into the phrase “redeeming the time,” one of the initial observations we make is the profound implication of the word “redeeming” itself. Inherent in this term is the concept of purchase, value, and even recovery. Redemption, both in the Old Testament context and throughout Scripture, involves buying back or purchasing for a purpose, be it people, lands, or even our own souls through the work of Christ. Therefore, when Paul speaks of “redeeming the time,” he presents us with the task of purchasing time as if it were a precious commodity—something inherently valuable that requires intentional action to use wisely. It challenges us to consider our daily walk, not just observing the passage of hours and days, but engaging actively with the time we have. It becomes an honor and privilege, unique to those in Christ, to view time not as a burden, but as an opportunity to reflect God’s will in a world marred by darkness.
Furthermore, “redeeming the time” is couched within the framework of recognizing that “the days are evil,” offering a dual motivation for this redemptive work. This observation underscores the urgency of our call as believers to perceive and react to the spiritual climate around us. Evil days signal an environment fraught with unfruitful works of darkness—a stark contrast to the light and goodness we have and are called to embody. The phrase thus demands that we appraise not only the quantity of time we possess but also the quality of our engagement with it. We are urged to discern the fleeting nature of each moment, recognizing opportunities to infuse God’s truth and light in every encounter and action. It is a call to influence and recover (from the evil) these precious instances—not through our power, but through the wisdom granted by the Spirit—to actively participate in God’s redemptive work against the backdrop of a world that often remains indifferent to the ticking clock.
Privilege of the Believer
The notion of “redeeming the time” inherently suggests a spiritual dimension that unbelievers, lacking an identity rooted in Christ, cannot fully embrace. The reason lies in the transformative redemption that believers have experienced through Jesus Christ—a redemption that renews our mind of how time is perceived and utilized. Unbelievers, still entangled in the works of darkness and without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are bound by a worldview that does not recognize the eternal significance of their temporal actions; their engagement with time is often limited to self-fulfillment or worldly pursuits. In contrast, believers are uniquely empowered to redeem the time because they possess the light of Christ within them, having been enlightened and sanctified through faith, created in righteousness and true holiness in contrast to unrighteousness and uncleanness. This spiritual enlightenment grants them the wisdom to discern not only the urgency of acting in a world characterized by evil days but also the capacity to fill their daily lives with eternal significance – to lay hold on eternal life now. Through the lens of their new identity in Christ, believers are able to engage in actions that transcend the temporal, using each moment as an opportunity to reflect God’s truth, grace, and love in a manner that glorifies Him and edifies others.
Redeeming the Time: A Biblical Call to a Purposeful Walk
Brethren, we must consider the days in which we live, for the Word of God declares in Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” The Scriptures are plain—time is not ours to waste. Every moment we have is given by the Lord, and we are called to use it wisely. Many live as though they have an endless supply of days, yet the Bible warns us, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). If we are to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, we must redeem the time, for the opportunities given to us will not last forever. Consider what God our Father grants in His Word to aid in impressing upon us to hearken to this instruction: 1) the value of time, 2) the motivations of redeeming the time, 3) the mechanics of redeeming the time, and 4) how to handle grief from wasted time.
The Value of Time
Time is one of the most valuable resources we possess because it cannot be reclaimed once lost. The psalmist wisely prayed, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Numbering our days is not simply acknowledging their brevity but recognizing their worth. Every second, every hour, every day is an opportunity to glorify God.
The enemy desires to rob us of our time. Satan may not always tempt with overt sin, but he will gladly lull believers into complacency, filling their days with distractions that bear no eternal fruit. Satan holds the masterclass for spiritual slumber and slothfulness. Proverbs 24:30-31 warns, “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” Time wasted leads to spiritual barrenness.
Thus our Father is desirous we would consider a few things that we may value time and thus redeem it:
Our Lord Jesus understood the value of time. He declared in John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” If Christ, who was without sin, felt the urgency of using His time wisely, how much more should we who are but dust?
The Motivations of Redeeming Time
Redeeming the time requires both motivation and action. The motivation is clear: the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). We live in a fallen world where sin abounds, and we must use our time to stand for righteousness. We are called to be “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58), knowing that our labor is not in vain.
The Father grants us ample motivation to hearken to His instruction – here are a few:
Because the Days Are Evil
The immediate cause in Ephesians 5:17 to redeem the time is “because the days are evil”. Thus, the purchasing power of wisdom grants the believer to not squander this time, nor succomb to the vain pressures of the world, but to recover it from the grips of darkness, transform it for profit, and have it abound unto an eternal account of merchandise.
“Redeeming the time” serves as a powerful counteraction to the evil days by transforming opportunities typically wasted in vanity into moments of purpose aligned with God’s will. By applying the wisdom found in God’s word, believers can intentionally utilize their time for good, rather than allowing it to be consumed by the prevailing evil influences. This involves, but is not limited to, making deliberate choices that reflect God’s righteousness, showcasing His light and grace in contrast to the surrounding darkness.
The Mechanics of Redeeming the Time
Shining as lights as we walk in wisdom is the oversimplication of the mechanics of redeeming the time. Mechanics involve detail, the nitty-gritty, the operations of numerous parts. A watch much like the spiritual walk contains numerous component parts compressed into a small compartment but that functions for its purpose. We seek not to obtain the wisdom to be employed within each moment of each person in each place; however, we ought not divest ourselves from that which God has given us in Christ as the objective source of wisdom for every believer to effectuate. Wherefore, may these simply items suffice and encourage further study:
Handling Grief Over Wasted Time
Perhaps as you reflect on your life, you feel the weight of wasted time. Many look back with sorrow, seeing years lost to sin, apathy, or worldly pursuits. But take heart—God is merciful, and He forgives waste, and can restore hundredfold of what was lost. We know this concerning eternity, we read of it with Job, Joel 2:25 gives Israel this promise that we can learn from: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten”, and ultimately, the resurrection in Christ is the modus operandi of God to redeem that which was once spent, wasted, or lost. Nonetheless, regret can be paralyzing, but it should instead drive us to repentance and renewal. The enemy wants to keep us bound in grief over the past, but God calls us forward. Philippians 3:13-14 urges, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark.” While we cannot change the past, we can cede our future to God and walk in obedience today. What ought to be your response to wasted time? How are you do handle grief for such forfeiture:
Consider Paul
The apostle Paul is an example of dealing with the grief of wasted time through his own experience and response described in 1 Corinthians 15. Paul acknowledges his past as a persecutor of the church. Undoubtedly, his past hatred and malice, now contrary to love and wisdom in Christ, would fill Paul with regret and an overwhelming and debilitating guilt – a spiritual depression.
However, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of God’s grace in his life, which allowed him to move beyond his past. He states, “But by the grace of God, I am what I am,” acknowledging that despite his past actions, God’s grace has defined his identity and empowered him to work abundantly in service to the gospel. Paul’s response to his past mistakes is not to dwell in guilt or sorrow but to let the grace that was bestowed upon him become a motivation to labor even more for the Lord. Paul did not let his past failures paralyze him. Instead, he used the grace he received as a means to labor abundantly, thus redeeming the time in the present. His example teaches that accepting and embracing God’s grace enables believers to overcome their past, focus on the present, and strive toward fruitful service in the future, turning regret into a motivational force for spiritual growth and service.
Now Go!
Brethren, how will you buy the time that remains? Will you continue as before, letting the days slip through your fingers, or will you redeem the time? The Word of God calls us to wisdom: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15).
What changes must be made? What pursuits must be laid aside? What priorities need to shift? Reflect upon your days and ask, “Am I using my time for the glory of God?” If the answer is uncertain, let today be the day of change.
The appearing of Christ is near, the day is at hand, and so is our Lord. The opportunities before us will not last forever. Do you count your steps? Do you mark your splits? Do you press toward the mark? Let us be faithful stewards of our time, so that when we stand before Him we will be neither barren nor unfruitful. Let us not delay, but redeem the time while it is still called today. Amen.
Look Up,
Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher
Quotes on Redeeming the Time
Today, it seems, we cannot talk about walking or running without also recording our steps and time. If your a walker or sprinter you understand it isn’t only about the overall timing of the meet, but the proper techniques within certain segments of time. Segments of time in cross country or track are often referred to as “splits.” Splits indicate the time taken to complete specific portions of a race, helping athletes gauge their pace throughout the event. How do you hit your marks? You buy into the proper techniques that grant you each millisecond of time to hit your splits and win the race.
Walking Circumspectly by Redeeming the Time in Our Walk
In Ephesians, it was only a matter of time (all pun intended) before Paul would address the matter of time in the believers walk. Whether physically walking or spiritually walking time is to be considered in one way or another. All is being drawn to the dispensation of the fulness of times (Ephesians 1:10) that the fulness of His purpose in Christ would be realized (Ephesians 1:9).
In Ephesians chapter 5, we are called to “redeem the time,” a concept that resonates deeply when we consider its context. As believers, interconnected with Paul’s imperatives and rooted identity in Christ, we are not just to see ourselves justified and sanctified in God’s sight, but to actively engage in the transforming of our mind. Walking circumspectly, not as fools but wise, we recognize the fleeting nature of time amid evil days. Paul illuminates our journey by contrasting darkness and light, urging us not only to distance ourselves from the unfruitful works of darkness but to manifest light and truth in these evil days. This duality between our past blindness and our current enlightenment in Christ motivates our every step. As we embrace who we are in Him, each moment becomes a divine opportunity to bring forth God’s wisdom and goodness into the world. Let us, therefore, meditate upon the glory and urgency of this exhortation, living with purposeful intent, redeeming each precious moment given to us.
Walking circumspectly involves more than just cautious living; it requires us to actively reprove and expose the unfruitful works of darkness that pervade our world. Our life is not just about avoidance of sin but about manifesting the light that now dwells within us. Redeeming the time calls for us to make wise decisions, aligning our daily lives with the purpose and identity we have in Christ. Inherent in this call is the recognition that the days are filled with evil, yet in this bleak landscape, we are called to be beacons of light, offering something uniquely different—a life infused with God’s wisdom and goodness. The concept of a “circumspect walk” is intricately connected with “redeeming the time” as it instructs believers to approach their daily lives with careful consideration amidst a world characterized by evil days. A circumspect walk involves looking around with spiritual awareness, being mindful of one’s actions and decisions in light of biblical truth, and aligning one’s life with the wisdom and righteousness that God provides. This approach to life encourages believers to be intentional about utilizing every opportunity, ensuring that their time is spent in ways that honor God and reflect their identity in Christ. By walking circumspectly, believers are equipped to redeem the time by bringing light into darkness and demonstrating the goodness, righteousness, and truth of the Spirit, thereby transforming mundane moments into spiritually fruitful ones.
Perspective of Time
When examining the concept of time, we observe two distinct perspectives that shape our understanding and utilization of it. The first perspective views time as a linear progression, a constant, unwavering march from past to present, and onto the future. From the beginning unto the end. This viewpoint often encapsulates the reality that our lives are bound by the constraints of minutes, hours, days, and years, each moment fleeting and irretrievable. This view inherently acknowledges the temporality of our earthly existence and implores us to make the most of the time allotted, consciously discerning how we, as believers in Christ, might align our walk with His will, redeeming every moment in these evil days.
Another perspective of time is akin to viewing it through the lens of opportunities and seasons rather than a mere succession of identical units. It recognizes the seasons as “splits” of time within this flow of time to be most fruitful and impactful. This view values the significance of moments—the appointed times ordained by God where His divine purpose unfolds in our lives. It suggests a qualitative rather than a quantitative examination of our temporal pilgrimage, understanding that in redeeming the time, we aren’t merely counting the hours but are earnestly seeking the God-given opportunities that each moment presents. Through this lens, time is not just a linear sequence but a tapestry of divine appointments entrusted to us, a chance to manifest the fruit of the Spirit and to reflect the light of Christ in a world shrouded in darkness. With such an understanding, we recognize the scarcity and transient nature of these opportunities, propelling us to utilize each season with wisdom to bear good fruit, unveiling the eternal amid the temporal.
The dispensation of the grace of God, the institutions of God, the seasons of age are God given, yet temporal and all contribute to these divine appointments. Each possess their own ordinances, consist of their own flow, integrated together, worked out, and experienced by those under them and fruitful in those exercised by them. Thus, we don’t wait for opportunity – we have therefore opportunity.
The Redemption in Redeeming the Time
As we delve into the phrase “redeeming the time,” one of the initial observations we make is the profound implication of the word “redeeming” itself. Inherent in this term is the concept of purchase, value, and even recovery. Redemption, both in the Old Testament context and throughout Scripture, involves buying back or purchasing for a purpose, be it people, lands, or even our own souls through the work of Christ. Therefore, when Paul speaks of “redeeming the time,” he presents us with the task of purchasing time as if it were a precious commodity—something inherently valuable that requires intentional action to use wisely. It challenges us to consider our daily walk, not just observing the passage of hours and days, but engaging actively with the time we have. It becomes an honor and privilege, unique to those in Christ, to view time not as a burden, but as an opportunity to reflect God’s will in a world marred by darkness.
Furthermore, “redeeming the time” is couched within the framework of recognizing that “the days are evil,” offering a dual motivation for this redemptive work. This observation underscores the urgency of our call as believers to perceive and react to the spiritual climate around us. Evil days signal an environment fraught with unfruitful works of darkness—a stark contrast to the light and goodness we have and are called to embody. The phrase thus demands that we appraise not only the quantity of time we possess but also the quality of our engagement with it. We are urged to discern the fleeting nature of each moment, recognizing opportunities to infuse God’s truth and light in every encounter and action. It is a call to influence and recover (from the evil) these precious instances—not through our power, but through the wisdom granted by the Spirit—to actively participate in God’s redemptive work against the backdrop of a world that often remains indifferent to the ticking clock.
Privilege of the Believer
The notion of “redeeming the time” inherently suggests a spiritual dimension that unbelievers, lacking an identity rooted in Christ, cannot fully embrace. The reason lies in the transformative redemption that believers have experienced through Jesus Christ—a redemption that renews our mind of how time is perceived and utilized. Unbelievers, still entangled in the works of darkness and without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, are bound by a worldview that does not recognize the eternal significance of their temporal actions; their engagement with time is often limited to self-fulfillment or worldly pursuits. In contrast, believers are uniquely empowered to redeem the time because they possess the light of Christ within them, having been enlightened and sanctified through faith, created in righteousness and true holiness in contrast to unrighteousness and uncleanness. This spiritual enlightenment grants them the wisdom to discern not only the urgency of acting in a world characterized by evil days but also the capacity to fill their daily lives with eternal significance – to lay hold on eternal life now. Through the lens of their new identity in Christ, believers are able to engage in actions that transcend the temporal, using each moment as an opportunity to reflect God’s truth, grace, and love in a manner that glorifies Him and edifies others.
Redeeming the Time: A Biblical Call to a Purposeful Walk
Brethren, we must consider the days in which we live, for the Word of God declares in Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” The Scriptures are plain—time is not ours to waste. Every moment we have is given by the Lord, and we are called to use it wisely. Many live as though they have an endless supply of days, yet the Bible warns us, “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). If we are to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, we must redeem the time, for the opportunities given to us will not last forever. Consider what God our Father grants in His Word to aid in impressing upon us to hearken to this instruction: 1) the value of time, 2) the motivations of redeeming the time, 3) the mechanics of redeeming the time, and 4) how to handle grief from wasted time.
The Value of Time
Time is one of the most valuable resources we possess because it cannot be reclaimed once lost. The psalmist wisely prayed, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Numbering our days is not simply acknowledging their brevity but recognizing their worth. Every second, every hour, every day is an opportunity to glorify God.
The enemy desires to rob us of our time. Satan may not always tempt with overt sin, but he will gladly lull believers into complacency, filling their days with distractions that bear no eternal fruit. Satan holds the masterclass for spiritual slumber and slothfulness. Proverbs 24:30-31 warns, “I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.” Time wasted leads to spiritual barrenness.
Thus our Father is desirous we would consider a few things that we may value time and thus redeem it:
- It belongs to God – Our time is not our own; we are stewards (Psalm 31:15).
- It is short – Our days on earth are few and fleeting (James 4:14; Psalm 39:4-5, 90:12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31).
- It is uncertain, but death is – We do not know what tomorrow holds (Proverbs 27:1).
- It is irreversible – Once gone, it cannot be redeemed (Luke 16:25-26).
- It determines eternity – How we use our time here impacts our eternal state (not life, but estate) (Galatians 6:7-8).
- It is to be used wisely – We are commanded to redeem the time and walk in wisdom (Ephesians 5:16).
Our Lord Jesus understood the value of time. He declared in John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” If Christ, who was without sin, felt the urgency of using His time wisely, how much more should we who are but dust?
The Motivations of Redeeming Time
Redeeming the time requires both motivation and action. The motivation is clear: the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). We live in a fallen world where sin abounds, and we must use our time to stand for righteousness. We are called to be “steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58), knowing that our labor is not in vain.
The Father grants us ample motivation to hearken to His instruction – here are a few:
- Because We Can: As believers, we have the ability to redeem the time through the wisdom given to us in Christ (Ephesians 5:15-16).
- Because It Is Wise: Redeeming the time involves walking in wisdom, which is valuable and profitable (Ephesians 5:15).
- Few Days to Redeem Opportunities: Our days are limited, and we should use them wisely to apply our hearts unto wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
- Bearing Upon the Life to Come: Redeeming the time has eternal significance and impacts the life that is to come (1 Timothy 6:19).
- Because the Days Are Evil: The evil nature of the days we live in should motivate us to redeem the time and overcome evil with good (Ephesians 5:16).
- We Will Give an Account: We will be judged on how we utilized our time, making it important to redeem it wisely (Romans 14:12).
- Fruit in Due Season: Redeeming the time leads to spiritual fruit that will be reaped in due season, reflecting the eternal value of our actions (Galatians 6:9).
Because the Days Are Evil
The immediate cause in Ephesians 5:17 to redeem the time is “because the days are evil”. Thus, the purchasing power of wisdom grants the believer to not squander this time, nor succomb to the vain pressures of the world, but to recover it from the grips of darkness, transform it for profit, and have it abound unto an eternal account of merchandise.
“Redeeming the time” serves as a powerful counteraction to the evil days by transforming opportunities typically wasted in vanity into moments of purpose aligned with God’s will. By applying the wisdom found in God’s word, believers can intentionally utilize their time for good, rather than allowing it to be consumed by the prevailing evil influences. This involves, but is not limited to, making deliberate choices that reflect God’s righteousness, showcasing His light and grace in contrast to the surrounding darkness.
The Mechanics of Redeeming the Time
Shining as lights as we walk in wisdom is the oversimplication of the mechanics of redeeming the time. Mechanics involve detail, the nitty-gritty, the operations of numerous parts. A watch much like the spiritual walk contains numerous component parts compressed into a small compartment but that functions for its purpose. We seek not to obtain the wisdom to be employed within each moment of each person in each place; however, we ought not divest ourselves from that which God has given us in Christ as the objective source of wisdom for every believer to effectuate. Wherefore, may these simply items suffice and encourage further study:
- Remember the Value of Time: Recognize the importance and fleeting nature of time (Psalm 90:12; Luke 12:20).
- Spend Time in God’s Word: Invest time in reading, studying, praying, and meditating on Scripture to gain wisdom which is the purchasing power to redeem the time (1 Timothy 4:15-16).
- Take Heed of What Robs Your Time: Be aware of and avoid things that waste your time, such as slothfulness and worldly distractions (Ephesians 5:15-16).
- Walk in Wisdom: Apply the knowledge and wisdom gained from God’s Word in your daily life and interactions (Colossians 4:5).
Handling Grief Over Wasted Time
Perhaps as you reflect on your life, you feel the weight of wasted time. Many look back with sorrow, seeing years lost to sin, apathy, or worldly pursuits. But take heart—God is merciful, and He forgives waste, and can restore hundredfold of what was lost. We know this concerning eternity, we read of it with Job, Joel 2:25 gives Israel this promise that we can learn from: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten”, and ultimately, the resurrection in Christ is the modus operandi of God to redeem that which was once spent, wasted, or lost. Nonetheless, regret can be paralyzing, but it should instead drive us to repentance and renewal. The enemy wants to keep us bound in grief over the past, but God calls us forward. Philippians 3:13-14 urges, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark.” While we cannot change the past, we can cede our future to God and walk in obedience today. What ought to be your response to wasted time? How are you do handle grief for such forfeiture:
- Sorrow to Repentance: Allow godly sorrow to lead you to repentance and a change of mind (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).
- Forget What Is Behind: Forget past failures and press toward future goals in Christ (Philippians 3:13-14).
- Labor by God’s Grace: Recognize the grace of God and let it motivate you to labor more abundantly (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).
- Speak Truth to Yourself: Take yourself in hand and speak the truth of God’s grace to your soul (Psalm 42:11).
Consider Paul
The apostle Paul is an example of dealing with the grief of wasted time through his own experience and response described in 1 Corinthians 15. Paul acknowledges his past as a persecutor of the church. Undoubtedly, his past hatred and malice, now contrary to love and wisdom in Christ, would fill Paul with regret and an overwhelming and debilitating guilt – a spiritual depression.
However, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of God’s grace in his life, which allowed him to move beyond his past. He states, “But by the grace of God, I am what I am,” acknowledging that despite his past actions, God’s grace has defined his identity and empowered him to work abundantly in service to the gospel. Paul’s response to his past mistakes is not to dwell in guilt or sorrow but to let the grace that was bestowed upon him become a motivation to labor even more for the Lord. Paul did not let his past failures paralyze him. Instead, he used the grace he received as a means to labor abundantly, thus redeeming the time in the present. His example teaches that accepting and embracing God’s grace enables believers to overcome their past, focus on the present, and strive toward fruitful service in the future, turning regret into a motivational force for spiritual growth and service.
Now Go!
Brethren, how will you buy the time that remains? Will you continue as before, letting the days slip through your fingers, or will you redeem the time? The Word of God calls us to wisdom: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15).
What changes must be made? What pursuits must be laid aside? What priorities need to shift? Reflect upon your days and ask, “Am I using my time for the glory of God?” If the answer is uncertain, let today be the day of change.
The appearing of Christ is near, the day is at hand, and so is our Lord. The opportunities before us will not last forever. Do you count your steps? Do you mark your splits? Do you press toward the mark? Let us be faithful stewards of our time, so that when we stand before Him we will be neither barren nor unfruitful. Let us not delay, but redeem the time while it is still called today. Amen.
Look Up,
Josh Strelecki, Pastor-Teacher
Quotes on Redeeming the Time
- “Kill time and you murder opportunity.”
- “Lost time is never found.”
- “To waste time is to squander a gift from God.” – John Blanchard
- “Give me a Christian that counts his time more precious than gold.” – Joseph Alleine
- “Life is too short for us to do everything we want to do, but it is long enough for us to do everything God wants us to do.”
- “We speak of spending time; the Bible speaks of buying it.” – John Blanchard”
- “There is nothing puts a more serious frame into a man’s spirit than to know the worth of his time.” – Thomas Brooks
- “Time is not yours to dispose of as you please; it is a glorious talen that men must be accountable for as well as any other talent.” – Thomas Brooks
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