Redeeming the Time

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We find the expression “redeeming the time” twice in the New Testament: once in Ephesians 5:1616Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:16) and again in Colossians 4:55Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Colossians 4:5). In both cases it is connected with our time, no doubt with the thought of making the best use of the time that is given to us and taking hold of every chance we have to advance Christ’s interests in this world. The same Greek word that is translated “redeem” is used in two other New Testament scriptures, in Galatians 3:1313Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (Galatians 3:13) and also in 4:5. In these scriptures it is connected with how Christ has rescued us from the curse of the law and brought us into liberty in Him. I would suggest that both of these meanings have an important lesson for us as believers.
First of all, the word “redeem” has the thought in English of buying back that which once was ours, but has somehow been taken from us. It is closely related to the word “redemption,” which also occurs a number of times in the New Testament and also has the thought of ransom — buying back that which has been taken from us. We well know how that Satan, using the power of sin, has taken us away from God, so that in the words of Scripture, we were “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1)). But God “in His great love wherewith He loved us” (Eph. 2:44But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (Ephesians 2:4)) has redeemed us through the work of Christ on the cross, so that we have “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)). A hymn expresses it well:
By nature and by practice far,
How very far from God!
Yet now by grace brought nigh to Him,
Through faith in Jesus’ blood.
Catesby Paget, 1868-1930
We Belong to God
But if we have been redeemed and, as we know, a very high ransom paid for us, we are not our own. In one sense we were never our own, for we belonged to God in right of creation, and then we belonged to Satan as a result of his usurping God’s claims over us. But now we are reminded that “ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:19-2019What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19‑20)). Since we have been redeemed, we belong to the Lord, as the One who has ransomed us from the power of Satan, the power of sin, and the curse of a broken law. We have been made free from all this, but not in order to please ourselves. This brings us to the additional references to the word “redeem,” and the practical effect it should have in our lives.
Since we are not our own, we are exhorted, while we are down here in a world of time, to be redeeming the time. It is a sobering thought that in our short lives down here, we are preparing for eternity. This preparation includes not only our salvation, but also how we use the time given to us. None of us know how much time we will have, and we are reminded in 1 Peter 4:22That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 4:2) that after we are saved, it is important for the believer not to “live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” It is not a question of how much time we may have, but rather what we do with it. Some men of God, like Enoch, lived lives of several hundred years to the glory of God, while others, like John the Baptist, lived a comparatively short life. Yet the Lord Jesus could say of him, “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:1111Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. (Matthew 11:11)). More than the actual length of time, it is a matter of “understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:1717Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17)) and doing it. Being indwelt with the Spirit of God in this dispensation of God’s grace and in walking with the Lord, the believer is able to discern the will of the Lord.
Time Wasted
We are all familiar with such phrases as, “He is wasting his time,” or, “That was a waste of time.” Yet all of us, if we are honest with ourselves, must admit that we waste time at least occasionally. God will hold us responsible for what we do with our time down here, as to whether we use it for our own interests or for His glory.
In the day in which we live, at least in much of the Western world, it seems that time is at a premium, and there are many demands made on us. Many long for a simpler way of life, yet most find that it is not practical or even possible to avoid the complications that beset our lives in the modern world. In the middle of so many demands, it is more than ever necessary to understand what the will of the Lord is and to establish priorities in our lives. This is something that should start in our younger years, for if we form good habits in our early years, they will stand us in good stead all our lives. This requires discipline, a character trait that comes easier to some than others. But it must be practiced, if we are to accomplish anything for the Lord in our lives. If we think that we can do what we consider necessary for life down here and then do something for the Lord afterward, we will soon find that Satan will see to it that our time is always filled with either “the cares of this world” or “the deceitfulness of riches” (Mark 4:1919And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. (Mark 4:19)). There will be no time left for the Lord.
The First Place
No, the Lord must have the first place in our lives, but then, when this is done, we have His promise that, as to temporal things, “your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:3232(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. (Matthew 6:32)) and that “all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:3333But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)).
If these promises are kept in mind, we will be able to use our time for the Lord and have discernment as to how to set priorities in a difficult day.
Lest we should be misunderstood, let us hasten to say that we recognize that there are those who have very little free time. This was true in the apostles’ day, for some of the believers were slaves to masters who had total control of their time. Yet Paul could say to such, “Ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:2424Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:24)). If they did their service as unto the Lord, it was accepted as service to Him. Thus our motive is more important than what we do, but at the same time we are encouraged to seek the mind of the Lord, and if our time is at our disposal, to use it as He directs.
W. J. Prost