Redeeming the Time
Redeeming the Time. As believers in Christ, we are to walk as the wise, not as fools, by thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something.
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16, NKJV
Redeeming the Time
Paul encourages us, in Ephesians 5:15, to walk circumspectly. What does it mean to be circumspect? Webster defines it: thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something.
As believers in Christ, we are to walk as the wise, not as fools, by thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something. In other words, we are simply to think before we act. How many times do we wish we had done that in the past? We all have a tendency to "put our foot in our mouth" when we say whatever comes to mind. However, the believer, knowing that he or she represents Christ in all they do or say, are to walk wisely. How do we do that? In our own power, it is almost impossible, but in Christ, all things are possible.
One of the greatest examples we have of this in the Word of God is the example of King Solomon. The Lord appeared to Solomon at Gibeon and said, "Ask! What shall I give you?" Here is the response of Solomon found in 1 Kings 3:6-9 (NKJV).
6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
We know that God did, indeed, answer this prayer of Solomon. How did Solomon get wisdom? Solomon received wisdom by asking the Lord. We can gain great understanding and knowledge through education, but wisdom is a gift from the Lord.
Paul, then, continues his thought with these words: "Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." How do we, as believers, redeem our time today? Are we so busy grasping all of the good things this world has to offer that we scarcely have time to even think about what this means?
Look at Paul's train of thought. First we are to walk circumspectly, asking God for wisdom, and then we are to redeem the time. Why? Because the days are evil.
Are the days evil in this, the 21st century, or have we somehow evolved into a more perfect time? One only has to look at the daily headlines to answer that question. We live in a very evil time. The Word of God has been abandoned by most, and even professing Christians, have hardly a moment's time each day to glance into the Word of God.
By the grace of God, let us redeem the time. Let us return to daily Bible study and prayer, seeking God's wisdom to live this life in a manner that is pleasing to Him. That is why we are here!
Go, then, in the grace of God and live for His glory, alone!
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