Redeem the time

Ephesians 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil

Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus and told them to be “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). But what does it mean to “redeem the time”? Well, the word “redeem” means to “buy it up”. If I have food in the fridge that is approaching its sell by date I want to use it up, I don’t want it to go to waste. The problem with “the time” is that I don’t know how much time there is left so I’ve got to get on with it and stop messing around! God has given you and I jobs to do.

Paul, in his final letter said “the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I want to be able to say that today! But because I don’t know when the time of my departure is I need to be sure that I am finishing the race today! If I’m still around tomorrow I’ll know that the Lord has something else for me to do. I want to be able to say that I’m leaving the world in a different state than I entered it. I what to be able to say that by God’s grace, just like the early Christians, he turned the world upside down. I am convinced that the only reason I am alive today is because God has a job for me to do - and when I’m finished - he will take me home.

Pastor Simon