IgniteLife Church

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Redeeming the Time

See that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16, New King James Version)

How often have you heard that us Christians need to ‘redeem the time’? Have you been reluctant to ask what it means for fear of appearing ignorant? I have.

The expression also occurs in Colossians 4:5. The Greek word translated ‘redeem’ means to purchase back. Some of the more modern translations use the expression, ‘make the most of every opportunity’ (e.g. New International Version, New Living Translation). How is opportunity related to time? We don’t know how long we have on this earth, nor do we know for sure if Jesus will return during our lifetime on earth. Redeeming the time is to take every opportunity to practise the gospel now as ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). In fact, we are meant to be so busy ‘walking in wisdom to those who are outside’ (Colossians 4:5) that we have no time to ‘be drunk with wine’ (Ephesians 5:17).

The early Christians were looked upon with suspicion. They were thought to engage in drunken ‘love feasts’ or cannibalism (eating the body and drinking the blood of the Lord). It was important that Christians dispelled these ideas by their virtuous and impeccable lives.

Let’s live virtuous and impeccable lives. Let our lives encourage the world to be reconciled to God.