Redeeming The Time

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in
​your heart to the Lord;    Eph. 5:16-19

In these verses Paul gives some words of wisdom, and exhortation. He knows the battles they will face, and the words he uses are full of practical, and powerful advice. His purpose, because the days are evil; The present times are dangerous, they are full of trouble and temptations, and only the watchful and diligent have any reason to expect that they will keep their garments unspotted.

The times we are living in are exponentially evil. There are many allurements and temptations that would lead us away from productive, Spirit led and proper use of time, and that would draw us into sin.
There are many who would tempt you to go to places of sinful indulgence and revelry where their time is wasted, and worse than wasted. 

Look around, really look at what your seeing. How many are spending their time on things that mean nothing, and the time spent on these things-often lead to mischief, and evil deeds that came from an idle mind, and who's enjoyment is many times at the expense of someone else's misery.

Watch them, and what they spend their energies on, you'll find them engaged in various worthless endeavors, such as:
(1) In the allurements to pleasure and amusement in every place, and especially in cities;
(2) Consuming the precious hours of probation to no valuable purpose; Idle gatherings that gender trouble, and debauchery of drink and excess;
(3) In the temptations of ambition, most of the time spent for which is wholly thrown away, for few gain the prize, and when gained, it is all a bauble, not worth the effort;
(4) In dissipation - for who can estimate the amount of valuable time that is worse than thrown away in the places of revelry and game playing. In some places it's difficult to get people to look up, their heads and eyes are looking down at their phones-sometimes as their walking. I've thought at times-"You need to look up, before you walk into the door."
(5) In wild and visionary plans - temptations, loud boastings, bragging, talebearing, these must have other's around them, of like spirit-these attract each other, and feed on each other's vices. The evil involved in this becomes evident with the cursing, swearing, and debauchery that's going on among them. I've seen this in years I worked at holiday and special event parties-I learned to try to just stay out of it, and either take the day off, or go home early.
(6) Indulgence - in dressing, and eating, and gossip. 
(7) When they awake from their drink/drugs-bleary eyed, head in a fog-aching from a hangover-they begin again, in a cycle of worthless activity.

For the Christian, Paul gives important practical instruction, to help us shield ourselves from the influences of those who waste their time on useless endeavors; and how to feed our spirits and strengthen our inner man to stand against the temptations that will come to us from those of the world.
John Wesley gives added help in his commentary:

"With all possible care redeeming the time - Saving all you can for the best purposes; buying every possible moment out of the hands of sin and Satan; out of the hands of sloth, ease, pleasure, worldly business; the more diligently, because the present are evil days, days of the grossest ignorance, immorality, and profaneness."

The years I worked taking care of seniors, I saw the difference between those who had lived lives of wisdom and purpose; redeeming the time in their lives, and those who had spent most of their time wasting it on worthless things. I could see the difference between them, in how they lived, the peace in their lives, or the lack of it.  those who had practiced wisdom had a sense of stability and purpose about them. When death came for them, their faith was evident, peace was there and the presence of the Lord, when they were taken home.

Those who had wasted their lives, and squandered their time, had various forms of depressions, aimlessness, and anxieties. I saw many like this die a miserable death, with fear, and a sense of hopelessness. Yes, they were hopeless, and still dead in their sins, and facing hell, but would not turn to the Lord, would not repent of their sins, and died as they had lived.
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In these evil days, it's vital to spend time in prayer, keeping our minds and hands busy doing things that will keep us active, and using the time God gives us on things that matter. And, keep our minds on things that lift our spirits, and turn our hearts to the Lord. Good music, listen to a good bible teacher or  minister in a video, study scripture-and cross reference as you go. I can get lost in time, studying a specific topic-and before I know it, the afternoon is late. But, the time was spent enriching my spirit, opening my mind to more of God, and His ways, and applying it to my life. This is purpose-that will go into eternity with me.
The devotion below, speaks further on this important topic, to aide the Christian in the evil days we are living in today.

Arise From The Dust

​The earlier verses remind us of Isa_60:1-22. Awake, thou Christian soul; arise from the dust and put on thy beautiful garments! Stand on the mountain-peak of prayer and Christ shall shine on thee as when morning gilds the highest Alps! The child of God must arise from among those who are yet in their graves, dead in trespasses and sins. He can have no complicity or fellowship with such. Is there effort in this, and cost? Christ will more than compensate. He will satisfy.
The opportunities of life are fleeting past; let us buy them up. They are most valuable, because they form the seed plot of eternity. In the other life we shall reap the harvests which we have prepared for here. “Give every flying minute something to keep in store.” Chrysostom, as a young man, kept silent for days together to break himself of a bad habit of detraction. But the Apostle’s method is better. Make room for the Holy Spirit. Be filled with Him, and He will use heart and lip in the service of praise and thanksgiving. It is as much our duty to be filled with the Spirit as it is not to get drunk. Remember to give thanks always for all things. Whether you like the packing-case or not, you may be sure that the contents are the very best that God could send you.   F.B. Meyer

Following The Master's Footsteps

As we journey this pilgrim land-Paul exhorts us to redeem the time. As we trod the path before us, we are to purchase; to buy up”; and then to redeem, to set free - as from service or bondage. We are to rescue or recover our time from waste; to improve it for great and important purposes.

In doing so, we are following in Jesus' footsteps-working as he worked, gaining ground with every step he took, while he was here on earth, that culminated with his going to the cross, for you and I-to rescue us. When he hung on that cross, he became a curse for us, and bought us back with his own blood. The cross was not a defeat-the victory is the empty tomb. He is risen.

Gal 3:13  Christ 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: 

He has given us the pattern to follow.
Lorna Couillard