Ambassadors for Jesus: Redeeming the Time!
Ambassadors for Jesus Christ and the redemption of time – two separate concepts and yet both of them intricately connected.
The Christian life can be explained only in terms of Jesus Christ, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you – your personality, your willpower, your gift, your talent, your money, your courage, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice, or your anything—then although you may have the Christian life, you are not yet living it. – Ian Thomas
To that list of all the “your’s“, I would like to also add “your time“.
Working through the books of Ephesians and Colossians I’ve been confronted with two occasions where the redemption of time is being mentioned.
Ephesians 5:15-17
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
and…
Colossians 4:3-6
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Now, what does the redemption of time mean? What better to refer to other than what is found in Scripture for our example. Numerous times in the Word of God we are told that we’ve been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ or that we have been redeemed by God.
1 Peter 1:18-19
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.
Romans 3:24
Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Titus 2:14
Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
And many more!
What does this redemption mentioned above refer to? In answering my question we can look to various chapters in the book of Romans where Paul explains how through Adam’s (and Eve’s) disobedience we were sold into sin, “…through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all man, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12) We were in serious debt and our awaiting judgement was overdue. We were captive to sin, living in bondage to the chains of death and the devil. And if it were up to us we would’ve been absolutely and utterly condemned unto inevitable destruction!
Our origin is sin and our state of living without Jesus Christ is sin, resulting in judgement leading unto death and hell – there is no gray areas where that is concerned. Being sold into sin, committing sin and therefore living under the yoke of condemnation we had to be bought back and our debt had to be paid. Justice had to be done for righteousness to prevail and God alone is the perfectly just and righteous Judge! And there is only One who could be and will always be good enough, holy, righteous, faithful and perfect enough to meet God’s standard to pay what is due: Jesus Christ, our one and only Saviour.
Jesus paid our rightful debt. He bought us back from a life condemned to eternal darkness and death, He has won us back after being lost to sin, settling our debt so we can have LIFE and life to the full in Christ Jesus!
We have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Wow!
Therefore, we can acknowledge that redemption is the buying back of something. Now, let’s look at the two initial Scriptures mentioned – Ephesians and Colossians.
Ephesians 5:15-17
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
In Ephesians we’re reminded by Paul to walk circumspectly. Carefully considering how we ought to live our lives – discerning through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God what is good and what is evil. Being vigilant to abstain from the lust of the flesh, from sin and to flee temptation and to live a life that resembles God’s grace and holiness. Therefore, the redemption of time firstly refers to is an inward reflection and application of how we ought live our lives. Not by wasting time, but rather buying back the time wasted whilst we were still living in the flesh and chasing after worldly things, making the most of the time we have now to live a life holy and pleasing unto God, searching first His Kingdom and His righteousness. (Matthew 6:33) Thereby, spending time with Him in prayer and studying His Word in truth so we may be strengthened in faith and increase in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and God’s good and perfect will.
May we take this to heart and adopt the same mindset as David praying in Psalm:
Psalm 17:15
As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.
May we be bothered and hindered with every thought, word and action that’s satisfied with anything less than pursuing a life that’s pleasing unto God in every facet of our being!
Secondly, in Colossians another occasion of redeeming the time is mentioned:
Colossians 4:3-6
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
We’re reminded of how we ought to respond to those around us. Our walk of life should testify to the fact that we’re children of God – in word and in deed. And if we claim to be children of God we have a mission: The Great Commission. (Matthew 28:18-20) To share the way unto salvation in Jesus Christ with the people we come in contact with, whether it may be your spouse, children, colleagues, friends and/or strangers in the que while waiting for your food order. Redeeming the time, acknowledging that Jesus Christ will return for His elect and we should make the most of every single moment we have to encourage and show others the only way that can and will lead to life!
Time is too short to waste it on anything else other than living Jesus towards those around us!
In conclusion, may you realise you are called to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ, representing Him in your walk of life. Redeeming the time in order to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16) and to share Jesus Christ in wisdom, patience, love and truth to anyone and everyone who comes your way! Not just having the Christian life, but living the Christian life.
May God be honoured in every are of our lives, including our time!
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