Redeeming the Time – 3

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Time, not times. Days are evil, not good.

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‘See, then, that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’ — Eph. 5. v.15, 16.

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There have been various ways to interpret this verse.

See:

Redeeming the Time

Redeeming the Time 2

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1.. there are those who see it as “seizing the moment,” making the most of each day.

https://biblehub.com/library/maclaren/expositions_of_holy_scripture_ephesians_peter/redeeming_the_time.htm

And so here ‘redeeming the time’ does not merely mean making the most of moments, but means laying hold of, and understanding the special significance of, life as a whole, and of each succeeding instant of it as the season for some specific duty.

It is not merely ‘time,’ it is ‘the time’; not merely the empty succession of beats of the pendulum, but these moralized, as it were, heightened, and having significance, because each is apprehended as having a special mission, and affording an opportunity for a special work.

Now, there are two aspects of that general thought, on each of which I would touch.

The Apostle here uses the singular number, and speaks not of the times, but of ‘the time’; as if the whole of life were an opportunity, a season for some one clear duty which manifestly belongs to it, and is meant to be done in it.

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2.. Singular use of time in reference to the event of salvation as a specific day

‘Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.’ 2 Cor 6:2

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3.. A specific time of evil

2 Timothy Chapter 3

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all [men], as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

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Matthew Chapter 24

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

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Question

So, in good times, we can redeem the time with good works, with a good motivation.

But in evil times, how do we redeem each day?

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The first aspect is documented in Ephesians 5, and the second aspect is documented in Ephesians 6.

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How to redeem during times of evil: spiritual warfare

Eph 6:

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

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While many have read this verse lightly, seeing it as a generic application whereby one is a “better Christian,” it is actually a battle plan for survival during “evil days.”

And one should not wait until evil has arrived to apply this scriptural advice.

One should be prepared ahead of time.

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For example, we cannot apply the sword of the Word of YHVH God, if we do not already have the Word in our hearts.

Learning to walk in peace takes practice.

Waiting for evil days to arrive before getting saved is dangerous.

Righteousness is not achieved overnight.

We should already have studied, and determined what is truth, and not true.

Etc.

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The Word says

Isaiah 55:6-7

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

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Soldiers do not wait for a war before training.

Training occurs during peacetime, or at least away from where the battle is located.

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Tribulation is coming, and already exists in some areas of the world.

Time for repentance, salvation, learning, and equipping is NOW, while the Holy Spirit is still on the earth.

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Are you ready to redeem the time?

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If not, start today, to seek the Lord and his righteousness, so that you can survive and redeem the evil days ahead, and so you can endure to the end.

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