16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
redeeming the time,
The idea of “redeeming the time” is to buy up opportunities. “Redeeming” means to buy up or buy back. This term was used for buying back a slave after he had been sold. The idea is to make a slave free by a purchase. We are to buy up all the opportunities that come our way. We are to ransom opportunities from being lost; we are to seize on propitious situations.
“Time” does not mean the succession of events; rather, this is the word for season or opportunity. It does not refer to length of time but to kind of time. We are to seize openings as they occur. There are periods of life where opportunities occur and we need to take advantage of them. There are limited occasions where we can seize the iron while it is hot.
Co 4:5, Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
because the days are evil.
The word “evil” is that which is actively opposed to the good. Many obstacles lie in the path of our opportunities.
PRINCIPLE:
God wants us to make the most of the time that He gives us.
APPLICATION:
We have only so much time on earth. Redeemed time implies the value of timely situations. We need to avail ourselves of opportunities that lie before us. We must make every moment count for the Lord. God allots a definite limit of opportunities. We are to seize on those opportunities when the Lord affords them to us.
Time is too short and eternity too long for us to waste our time. God gives us a finite number of days on this earth and we need to take advantage of the occasions He has donated to us. Paul finished the purpose for his life:
Ac 20:24, But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
2 Ti 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Many say, “I will serve the Lord when I retire… when I earn enough money… when I have enough time… when my children are grown…” No, God calls on us to redeem our opportunities now
