Redeeming The Time

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools, but as wise, 16 REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil.

Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, REDEEMING THE TIME.

Opening: We are all so very fragile, and we never know when our time on earth will end. Just a few days before Christmas, Michael Dickinson of Nebraska died in a McDonald’s drive thru. Pulling up to the payment window, Police Chief Dean Elliot said “It appears the deceased opened the door to further reach out of the window for payment purposes,” he said. We’re not sure if the vehicle lurched forward or what happened, but he became pinned between the door frame and the drive-thru window counter”. A McDonald’s employee attempted to save him, but could not. A life cut short in a McDonald’s drive thru just before Christmas.

We never know when our time on this earth will end. About the same time Michael passed from this life, a Florida man named Jason Kenney killed his wife and shot his step daughter before taking his own life. He was drinking when his wife Crystal suggested he turn off the NFL Game between the 49ers and the Colts. Enraged he took her life, then his own. The step daughter was shot twice, but is recovering. Searching the home in the aftermath of the shooting, deputies found a note that Crystal had written to her husband:

“You’re drinking, you’re using cocaine again. This is not the way the family should be. You need God.”

I wish Jason had found the Lord before the devil found him. Nothing good came of what he did. And if he left this life without Jesus – and I suspect he did – he is in a hell that he brought on himself even this day.

Christians Are To “Walk Circumspectly”

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as FOOLS, but as WISE,

The Bible uses the word “WALK” as a picture of living. This is the seventh time that the Apostle uses “WALK” in this book. How you walk is how you live out your life. How you walk will effect your eternity.

Word Study: We are commanded to “WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY”. The word “CIRCUMSPECTLY” is the Greek akribōs, which means “in an accurate and diligent manner, in a way that avoids flaws”. When we encountered the word “WALK” in the earlier passages of this book, we read:

Ephesians 2:2 (LSB) ….. you FORMERLY WALKED according to the course of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience,

When you were lost, you walked carelessly. You walked as “fools” do. When the Bible uses the word “fool”, it is a reference to those who are godless. “The FOOL has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’. They are corrupt, and do abominable works” (Psalm 14:1). But once you met Jesus, you were saved by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). At that moment, your “walk” changed. We were told:

Ephesians 2:10 (LSB) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that WE WOULD WALK IN THEM.

To walk “circumspectly” is to walk not in sin, but in good works, in works that glorify the Lord our God.

You are not like the unbelieving world. You are changed by Grace. You are changed by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God. We are to “WALK WORTHY” of our calling (Ephesians 4:1). We are to “STOP WALKING” like the unsaved, confused persons (Ephesians 4:17).

Ephesians 5:2-3 And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But FORNICATION, and all UNCLEANNESS, or COVETOUSNESS, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

The Christian walk is characterized by LOVE, not LUST. We are to care for others, and to give ourselves for others just as our Lord Jesus did. But we are not to be involved in “FORNICATION” {porneia} or sexual sin. We are not to be involved in “UNCLEANNESS” {akatharsia} or perversity and rot. We are not to be GREEDY, chasing after the riches of this world.

Ephesians 5:4-6 (KJV) Neither FILTHINESS {aischrotēs, obscenity}, nor FOOLISH TALKING {mōrologia, moronic statements}, nor JESTING {eutrapelia, speech which tears down}, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU WITH VAIN WORDS: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Walking circumspectly means to control your tongue and your actions so as to glorify the Lord in your life. The wages of sin is always death, whether you are a Christian or a lost person. When you follow after things which ridicule the Way of Truth, you open yourself up to the disciplined of God. The Scripture says:

Colossians 3:23-24 (LSB) Whatever you do, do your WORK HEARTILY, AS FOR THE LORD rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ.

We have an enemy, Satan, also called “the Prince of the Power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2). “Air” is what envelopes this earth. Satan and his demonic followers are where ever there is air, where ever there is emptiness. If you’ve seen the devastation that a hurricane or a tornado can bring, you know that air can be destructive. The Bible says that:

1 Peter 5:8-9 {LSB} Be of sober spirit, be WATCHFUL. Your adversary, the DEVIL, prowls around like a roaring lion, SEEKING SOMEONE TO DEVOUR. 9 But resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished among your brethren who are in the world.

The devil and the darkness did not give up when Jesus resurrected from the Grave. The devil and the darkness doubled down. The forces of darkness are all about us – we MUST be circumspect, be careful in how we walk. The Apostle said:

2 Timothy 3:12-13 (LSB) Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 13 But EVIL MEN AND IMPOSTERS will proceed [from bad] to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

The Redeemed Should Redeem The Time

Ephesians 5:15-16 See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as fools, but as wise, 16 REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil.

I have heard it said, “We are to redeem the time because we ourselves are redeemed”.

Word Study: The Christian is a REDEEMED person. The word “REDEEMED” is the Greek exagorazō, which means “to pay a price for someone to recover them from the power of another; to ransom from enslavement or entrapment”. This what Jesus did for us when He died on the Cross. The Bible says:

Galatians 3:13 (KJV) Christ hath REDEEMED {exagorazō} 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:

Before we met Jesus, we were enslaved to sin. Jesus said, “everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin” (John 8:34; Romans 6:20)

Before we met Jesus, we were enslaved to Satan. We were in the “snare of the devil, being captured by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:25-26; John 8:44)

Before we met Jesus, we were enslaved to the darkness. It is only Jesus who can “deliver us from the dominion of darkness, and into the Kingdom of God’s Beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13)

Before we met Jesus, we were enslaved to the Law as lawbreakers. The Law was not a blessing for us, but a CURSE. It condemned us as sinners. The Law said, “Do this”, but we could not in our own power. We were slaves to sin and Satan. But Jesus came, and died on Calvary for us. When we believe on Jesus, we are redeemed from the curse of the Law. Why?

Galatians 4:5-7 (KJV) To REDEEM {exagorazō} them that were under the law, that WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS. 6 And because ye are sons, GOD HATH SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

As Christ has redeemed us, we now redeem time on this earth for His glory. We do not walk as those in darkness, but walk as children of God.

Ephesians 5:7-11 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were {at other times} darkness, but NOW ARE YE LIGHT IN THE LORD: WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

What God has condemned, we who are His children will not do. We cannot walk in sexual sin. We cannot walk in greed. We cannot walk contrary to the Word of God. Should we befriend unbelievers? Yes, I believe we should. However, when we reach out to unbelievers, we must NEVER CONDONE THAT WHICH GOD CONDEMNS. We are told:

no fellowship with the unfruitful WORKS OF DARKNESS but rather REPROVE THEM

It doesn’t say we can’t reach out to the WORKERS of darkness. We should reach out to the lost. But you cannot lead the lost to salvation by justifying that which God forbids.

Illustrate: There was a group I used to listen to called “The Newsboys”, and I was horrified to find out that their lead singer Michael Tait was involved in sexual misconduct and substance abuse. There were accounts that he actually molested young men who looked up to him. After he resigned from the Newsboys (being replaced by Adam Agee) there were many who excused Tait’s behavior. Some even stated that Christians should lower the standards, so that Tait didn’t have to live a double life.

No, dear friends, we cannot lower the standards, because God sets the standards, not us. The Bible draws the line, and here is where we stand.

Those who are redeemed should be redeeming the time. We do not redeem the time by twisting the Scripture. We stand on what the Word of God has clearly stated. We were purchased from the darkness by a great price. Jesus REDEEMED US TO GOD by His Blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Revelation 5:9). We are freed from the prison of sin, Satan, and self. We do not want to go back into that prison. We do not want others left in that prison. So we will redeem the time for our Lord.

If We Do Not Redeem The Time, The Lost Will Not Repent,
But Sleep Their Way Into Hell

Ephesians 5:13-14 But all things that are REPROVED are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Read that first statement carefully. “All things that are REPROVED {elegchō} are made MANIFEST BY THE LIGHT”. People sleep in the darkness, not in the light. The Christian cannot compromise with the darkness. When you fly a “rainbow flag” in front of your Church, you are telling those who follow that doctrine that there’s nothing wrong with it.

Word Study: Unless something is REPROVED {elegchō, to point out fault, to reprehend severely, to call to account, to admonish}, people will think there is nothing wrong with what they do. It is only when an action is REPROVED, and the doer is angered, can there be any possibility of the light manifesting the reality to that person.

No reproof. No repentance. No redemption.

Now this isn’t popular in the local church of America today. Churches seem to want to compete to try and get as many people in its doors as possible. Jesus never asked us to do that. He commanded that we “make DISCIPLES”, that is, teach people what Jesus and the Word of God say. The church cannot afford to be in the darkness. The church cannot afford to sleep. A sleeping church will not lead others to Christ. The church must be light. It must walk accord to God’s Word.

Romans 13:11-12 (ESV) Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to WAKE FROM SLEEP. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us CAST OFF THE WORKS OF DARKNESS and put on the armor of light.

We who are saved belong to Jesus. We who are saved have the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We are to walk according to God’s Word and with God’s Spirit.

Author Brennan Manning once stated,

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

Though I agree with the statement, Manning himself lived a double life. He died an alcoholic’s death, but not before losing his family because of alcohol. We are all broken, yes, and we all need Jesus. But we must realize that God does not warn us against sin because it hurts Him. He warns us against sin because it hurts US, and condemns those who will not repent of it and turn to Jesus to a life of misery and darkness.

We must reprove sin. We will be called homophobic, racist, hateful, demonic, uncharitable, mean spirited. Yet if the Book tells us it is wrong, we must declare it wrong.

In John 7 we read about Jesus. We read:

John 7:1 (LSB) And after these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was UNWILLING TO WALK IN JUDEA BECAUSE THE JEWS WERE SEEKING TO KILL HIM.

Why were the Jews seeking to kill Jesus? Was it because He fed the 5000 Jews, or fed the 4000 Gentiles with a tiny bit of food? No. It was because Jesus spoke the truth. After feeding so many with so little, the crowds started following Jesus not for the Word of God – but for the FOOD. Jesus REPROVED them.

John 6:26-27 (LSB) Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, set His seal.”

Jesus told them that they had to REPENT and BELIEVE on HIM. He told them that He was the “bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:33). Jesus chastised them for not believing in Him. To Jesus, faith was more than just a simple “I believe”. Faith in Him is like feeding on Him. He told them:

John 6:54-58 (LSB) He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down out of heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.

That day, many Jews left following Jesus, and began to plot against His life. So when we come into John chapter 7 we see that Jesus no longer goes to Judea because they want to KILL Him!

The Pharisees and the Chief Priests had a meeting at the end of John chapter 7, and plotted to kill Jesus. Though Nicodemus stood up for Jesus, he could not persuade the other Jews not to kill Jesus. The darkness HATES the Light.

John 3:19 (KJV) And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, because THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL.

After this meeting of Jesus’ enemies, we read in the last verse of John chapter 7:

John 7:53 (KJV) And every man went unto HIS OWN HOUSE.

They thought Jesus was a heretic. They thought Jesus was a menace to Judaism. Did they go to God? No. they went to their OWN HOUSES. But where did Jesus go? In the next chapter, first verse, we read:

John 8:1 (KJV) JESUS WENT UNTO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES.

Jesus went to where He often prayed. He prayed all night long, then went to the Temple and taught the Word of God. Jesus was able to go to the Temple where His enemies were, and teach a class in the midst of danger, because Jesus redeemed the time.

Time spent with God in prayer and in His Word is never wasted. This present life is a gift from God. What you do in this present life will effect your eternity.