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. Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV

The phrase “redeeming the time” might lead you to think that I am going to be talking about God redeeming the time of a trial or hardship, and that what you have lost, God will give it back to you. But this is not that. Rather, I found myself thinking about the portion of Scripture where Paul is telling the church of Ephesus to be imitators of God and to walk in love. He takes the time to create the dichotomy of walking in a corrupt nature versus a nature testifying of putting on Christ. He describes to them the things which are the antithesis of imitating God. These things were essentially unfruitful works of darkness that were to be exposed. Paul reminded those in the church to walk as children of light, and as children of light, which comes from Christ Jesus, and not some New Age or mystical location or existence, believers were to expose them so that eternal life would be proclaimed to those who were in darkness, the futility of sin.

Redeeming the time is worded in this way in several translations. God instructs us as believers through His Word to make the most of our time on this earth in the midst of evil and wickedness. Our lives are but a vapor. We are to use wisdom as believers and to not waste the time we have been given, but to take every opportunity to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what it means to redeem the time. We recognize our mortality and brevity while ministering to others that they may have eternal life in Christ Jesus.

There is much going on around us that can be discouraging or even a distraction. We live in a fallen world where we can face many trials, tribulations and hardships. It is easy to focus on all of the evil things that Paul mentions, which as Christians we are to not participate. It can be wearisome to witness wickedness and unfruitful works of darkness all around us. Some of have even been in those situations and environments. As Paul tells the Ephesian believers faithful to Jesus Christ, at one time they were darkness. He said this not to condemn them, but to remind them of their current relationship with God as children of light, and now that they had been called out of darkness and into his marvelous light as Peter speaks of in another letter, they would be used by God to expose those things done in darkness, and it would be for His glory, so that others may awaken to the truth and become children of God rather than children of wrath.

There is a tendency for us to look back and regret wasted time or unfruitful time, time that was unredeemed so to speak. There can even be regrets when previous time once perceived fruitful is not met with regret and sorrow. I want to encourage those who have regrets, pain, sorrow and a sense of wasted time when looking back and desiring the past to be different, you cannot change it. God has granted you and I time to now make the most of every opportunity in proclaiming the truth in accordance with His Word, and what may have been intended for bad or as a detour is used for His glory. What a beautiful privilege it is to be brought out of darkness by our Savior and to shine His light so that others may truly come to know Him. We are called to redeem the time for the days are evil. Preach the Word. Proclaim the truth of the full gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us make the most of the time we have to proclaim the truth to others, to shine the light in the darkness and to expose unfruitful works done in it. Do not get discouraged. Every moment is precious to proclaim the truth.

Please follow and like us: