Redeeming the Time (Wednesday PM - 5-16)

”Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)

”Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Col. 4:5)

Redeem means to “buy up” or “buy back” - the idea here is an idea of investing. Just like a shrewd businessman buys up local real estate or business opportunities because he has the means to do so, we have this one thing “the time” that we have to use wisely.

The term “the time” refers to a limited opportunity. In fact, the greek word that is translated “the time” here is translated “opportunity” in Galatians 6:10.

We have this one set of time, this opportunity to do something for God and we need to wisely spend it and invest it for His purposes.

What should we redeem time for?

• Redeem the time for the work of the Lord.

”Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:17)

• Redeem the time for family.

We only have “the time”, a limited opportunity to be a witness and an instructor to our family and we need to make the most of it.

”[Deu 6:6-8 KJV] 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”

”Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

”And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

• Redeem the time for our walk with God.

Mark 1 - Jesus walk with God.

”My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:3)

What should we redeem time from?

• Redeem the time from excessive sleep.

Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: (Proverbs 6:10 and Proverbs 24:33)

”Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6-7)

• Redeem the time from mindless habits.

”All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” (1 Cor. 6:12)

”All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Cor. 10:23)

How can we redeem time?

1. Budget your time.

(Just as a businessman would budget the money he uses to buy up something.)

Failure to plan is failure to plan.

2. Prioritize your time.

Not all time is created equal. Spend your best time on your most important God-given tasks.

3. Guard your time.

Both your calendar and your checkbook are like a bag with holes. If you aren’t careful it will all just go out. You have to be careful you aren’t wasting your time.

4. Invest your time.

Don’t waste your time on wasteful things. There are lots of things we give our time to that might not cost us anything here and now, but we could invest that time in our own future usefulness.

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. - Abraham Lincoln

Let’s say you spent 30 less minutes every day watching TV and thirty more minutes doing something that might make your more useful for God. Do you think that would add up?

4. Don’t neglect rest.

Everyone needs some down time.
Rest can be a part of your preparation.