Jer 8:20 (KJV) – The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.
These words express the risk we all take in putting our service to the Lord on the back burner. The Bible tells us that the fields are “white unto harvest” (John 4:35). From the time of Christ until todays time there is a great need for each of us to faithfully live our lives for the Lord… the time is short and there are many around us that need to trust in Christ as Lord and Savior.
Seeing such a great need around us… let us take a few moments to study how we can “buy back” the time, and opportunities, the Lord has given to us.
THE SCRIPTURES:
Eph 5:15-17 (KJV) 15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].
Col 4:5-6 (KJV) 5) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6) Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
THE STUDY:
Eph 5: – 15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].
What does it mean to “redeem the time”?
In our Eph 5:15-17 text, we can see a clear command to redeem the time. “Redeeming the time” involves removing something from a marketplace. By removing an item from a marketplace we accomplish two goals…
1. We take possession of the item
2. We guarantee it cannot be resold and taken from us.
In other words, to redeem the time refers to using time wisely, which results in it being laid up to our account with no possibility of loss. This is the principle behind redeeming the time.
How do we redeem the time?
Again our text helps us to understand…
1. By living circumspect (careful, exact, precise, particular) lives –
In other words, we must be concerned and careful about the life we are living. First of all, we should be careful that we are doing what our Lord would have us to do (Acts 20:24, 2 Tim 4:7). Secondly, we should be concerned about what our testimony is in the eyes of others. (Gal 6:9-10, 1 Thess 5:22)
2. By living wise lives –
In Proverbs 9:10 we are told that the beginning of wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord. To “fear” the Lord involves reverencing the Lord (recognizing His greatness and putting Him first in our lives). A wise life is a life that honors the Lord. It is a life that is being led by the Lord and His desires we find in His Word.
Why do we redeem the time?
Our text tells us we redeem the time because “the days are evil”. This can be taken in at least two different ways…
First of all, the word “evil” can speak of sin. If this is the case, we are to redeem the time because the times we are living in are wicked times (2 Tim 3:1-5). We are in a spiritual warfare against the powers of darkness (Eph 6:10-18). We are to be shining lights in the midst of a sin darkened world (Matt 5:14-16).
We can accomplish all of this by simply submitting to His desires for our lives.
Secondly, we can take evil to mean something harmful (but not necessarily morally evil). Our world is filled with tragedies that take place every day. Sickness, injury and even death could be right around the corner for any of us (Matt 24:4-25). Our future is very uncertain and short (Psa 89:47, Job 7:6-7, Job 14:1). Our life is like a vapor (James 4:13-15). It is because of this uncertainty that we should be taking advantage of every opportunity we have to serve our Lord and live wise lives. After all, we cannot know how many more opportunities we have left to serve Him. (1 John 2:17, 1 Pet 4:24-25, Hebs 3:7-15)
What is the key to redeeming the time?
Our text concludes by saying “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord [is].” This emphasizes to us the importance of knowing the will of the Lord for our lives and then following that will. This is the key to living a life pleasing to Him. This is the key to redeeming the time He has so graciously given to us….
Col 4:5-6 – Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6) Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
For those who have trusted in Christ.
Let us faithfully minister to others as He gives us the opportunity. Let us serve Him everyday as if it were our last, keeping in mind we do not know what the morrow may hold for us.
For those who have never trusted in Christ.
Now is the time to look to Christ for forgiveness of sin. Don’t be one of those of whom Jeremiah spoke when he said…. “Jer 8:20 (KJV) – The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.”
If you have any questions concerning the way of salvation please feel free to visit or call a Bible teaching church in your area. They will be happy to speak to you about the Lord Jesus and the salvation He graciously gives.
Or, if you would rather, feel welcome to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I’ll be more than happy to answer any question you may have.
Also, if you look at my blog page “How To Have A Relationship With God”. On this page you will find several blog entries explaining the way of salvation.
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My Main Blog “Settled In Heaven” (updated twice weekly) – https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com
The following are other places you can find “Settled In Heaven” blog (updated once per month):
www.settledinheavenbibleblog.posterous.com
www.settledinheavenblog.blogspot.com
To see this lesson taught on video please go to my Video Blog at http://www.youtube.com/settledinheaven
If you have any questions concerning this blog, or if you have a subject you would like discussed, please feel free to email me at settledinheaven@gmail.com. I will answer all emails via my blog, email, or both.
Take A Look At My Wife’s Artistic/Scriptural Devotion Blog http://alivewithchristart.blogspot.com
Follow my Squidoo Instructional Lens “Presenting God’s Grace” “The Solemn Obligation To Present the Doctrines of Grace to the Lost and Saved Alike” http://www.squidoo.com/presenting-gods-grace
May the Lord bless your study of His Word. Like God’s Word… may your soul’s salvation and your life’s faithfulness be “Settled in Heaven.”
Settled In Heaven Blog 
God empower us to use every opportunity to serve Him for His glory. Amen!
AMEN! Thanks for the comment Susan!
Love Bible study blogs – can’t get enough WORD in me 🙂 May the LORD continue to use you to touch as many as possible before HIS RETURN 😀
Thank you for your kind words. And thank you for your blog as well… it is such an encouragement to see those who are concerned about those who have spiritual and physical needa around us! Lord bless your ministry
thank you so much for your kind words of support, Rob. May OUR LORD your ministry, too 🙂
you are more than welcome… Lord bless you!
Words full of wisdom and truth…Diane
Diane,
Thank you for the kind words… may the Lord allow each of us to recognize and faithfully fulfill all the oportunities that He opens to us. Lord bless you Diane!
>> “Let us faithfully minister to others as He gives us the opportunity”
Amen! And let’s take it a step further and actively LOOK FOR and EXPECT opportunities.
I’m sure I miss out on many opportunities simply because I do not see them, or because I am so wrapped up in what I am doing, I do not hear His voice.
We are one day closer to the day we will have no more time to use those opportunities, so this is indeed a timely reminder.
We serve an amazing God – and need to allow Him to direct our every move.
You are so right… we have a GREAT need to keep our eyes open actively searchin for the opportunities that the Lrod will open to us.
powerful message full of the sincerity found in the word of God! His love is abounding and He would have this, that no one would die in their sins but have the full blessing of life eternal through Christ our King! I enjoyed this message so very much…your site is a true blessing to many! Thanks for visiting my site and reading my poems! God Bless you and your family!
Thank you for the knid words Wendell. The Lord is certainly been good to us… especially the gift of His Word.
“…we must be concerned and careful about the life we are living.”
Well said! It is about the lives WE are living and not about judging the lives of those who live in the world. As one fellow so well put it, we can expect people who are unsaved to live as unsaved people. Well, duh. We are responsible, as men and women of God, to live a life pleasing to Him. Even then, it is He Who reveals those things we need to change. Salvation starts at the cross and continues as a process as we are being brought “from glory to glory”.
The world, however, does not have to change. They do not have to live holy lives. They do not have to abstain from sin. It is not those sins that will send them to eternal darkness – it is their refusal of Jesus’ redemption. If they change their ways, it will not bring them one iota closer to God’s presence. The only result that will come about in them living as we might prefer they live, is us feeling more comfortable. However, this is not what we are called to do.
We are called to present them with the Gospel. We are called to love our neighbor. When they become disciples, then we should teach them what it means to obey Jesus. And, even then – we must have patience as they, too, will be going through the process.
You are so right… by living our lives as we should it better enables us to take the gospel to the lost and, through the Lord’s intervention, see them come to a saving knowledge of Him. Thanks for the comments. They are a great addition to the posting. Lord bless you.