Redeeming the Time
Ephesians 5:15, 16 – See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise. 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
One of the great things about the bible is that it is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written. The original authors could not have known what 2015 would be like, but the Holy Spirit could. It is without doubt a supernatural book. It has been admired just for its beauty and symmetry, but its value goes way beyond that. We’ve all read other books that we would consider to be well written, but this is the only book that is truly life changing.
Here in Ephesians Paul, by the Holy Spirit, is coaching these early Christians about their daily lives. If it was important to “walk circumspectly” in their day, how much more today? The events occurring around us require it. What does it mean to walk circumspectly, you ask? Well, it has everything to do with how we conduct ourselves every day. Paul’s advice is “circumspectly,” meaning accurately and diligently.
Allow me to illustrate. In the movie The Last Crusade, Indiana Jones faced some dangerous challenges. One required that he play “hopscotch,” through an ancient hallway that had Latin letters etched into individual stones. Indy’s task was to jump from stone to stone, spelling out JEHOVAH in Latin. Every time he was inaccurate, the floor began to fall out under him. After a few narrow escapes, our hero made it through, but the challenge certainly required him to act circumspectly – accurately and diligently.
How does that translate to our everyday life in 2015? Know this: we must be accurate and diligent as to “where we place our feet.” The floor may not fall out beneath our feet, but inaccuracy and sluggishness can be costly. It won’t be God’s judgment. Going through life haphazardly has always been costly. Sin, after all, is “missing the mark.” If we’re honest with ourselves, each of us would have to admit that living loosely has cost us in our pasts. We are too far along now to coast.
Paul’s next admonition is “redeeming the time.” This three word phrase is packed with meaning. “Time” is that important Greek word KAIROS, meaning opportunity or season. The thought of ‘season’ sticks out to me. Remember our Summer Challenge? One of the reasons for this seasonal focus was to ward off a summer slump. No floating with the current of this world; time to paddle upstream!
Put that thought together with “redeeming” and we have an admonition to last till Jesus returns. I especially like the way Vine’s Greek/English Dictionary expresses it: “buying up the opportunity” i.e., making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be recalled if missed.
There is no value in commiserating over missed opportunities in our pasts. It’s what we do today that counts. If August 2015 is to be a remarkable season in your life, it will have to begin TODAY.
In my life I’m so glad I took opportunities that were presented to me. Our church offered a born again experience and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I took ’em up on it. My pastor challenged me to try Bible School after high school. I gave it a shot. God spoke to Dianne and me about Rhema, and off we went to Oklahoma. Rhema provided an opportunity to go start a church in upstate New York, and we bought in. Yes, like you I’ve missed a few along the way. But to quote another of the apostle’s axioms, let’s forget the past and press on to the prize.