Redeeming the Time

 

We are living in a time which should cause all believers to take heed concerning how he or she is living and whether the Lord is pleased with the lifestyle. Jesus is coming back for a church without spot or wrinkles. As believers, we must be ready to meet Him. Seemingly, many are living only for this life even though they profess Christianity with the hope to reign with Christ when He comes. He is coming for a church, the body of believers, that is without spot or wrinkles. "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27). We are the church, which is the living Body of Christ, and as believers we must be ready to meet Him, similar to the virgins who had their lamps trimmed and ready for the bridegroom (Matthew 25). We must live circumspectly and set apart from the world which will identify us as Christians. Paul indicates that regardless of what is happening we must walk in wisdom recognizing the seriousness of the times in which we live (Colossians 4:5). This requires making use of every opportunity to share the gospel message to everyone through our living, and the message which we bring. To walk in wisdom before the world, James outlines the principles stating, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). Earlier he describes worldly wisdom as being earthly, sensual, and devilish (James 3:15).

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Walking in Wisdom

 

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
Living as a true believer in Christ will present many trials and tests; but regardless of the obstacles, we must persevere and trust God for His grace and mercy (2 Corinthians 12:9). We must walk in faith in order to please Him, and to live according to His word. As believers, we must seek to portray the kind of life before the world which the Lord requires of us (Matthew 5:16). The Scripture delineates how we are to live wisely before the world, with God’s grace through the Holy Spirit.

1. Our speech must always be pure or clean, and with grace, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). This may not be always possible, but when we fail, we should be humble and willing to make right with the one to whom we caused hurt. The manner in which we interact with the world is vital since we are walking Bibles through our lives (Romans 12:9-21). We must endeavour to always leave a sweet-smelling savour behind in all our interactions as much as we are able.

2. As we redeem the time, we should work for the Lord when the opportunity presents itself, regardless of what the task may be. Do it diligently as unto the Lord (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Never compare yourself with anyone else. Your aim and desire must always be to please the Lord even if all that is required of you is to give a cup of water to another person (Matthew 10:42).

3. Always seek for peaceful solutions to any dispute in honour and reverence to God (Psalm 34:14).

4. Be gentle when you say “no” with humility. Your meek attitude and humility will invoke the presence of God in your life (I Peter 5:5).

5. To be easily entreated, shows your willingness to forgive and make right with someone who offended you (Matthew 18:15; Matthew 5:23-25). It makes no sense trying to hold out against an offender, when the word says that you should forgive (Matthew 6:14-15). When we forgive, this is an act of mercy towards someone who caused us hurt.

6. Be merciful, and compassionate (Micah 6:8). We will not obtain mercy when we do not show mercy (Psalm 18:25; Matthew 5:7). God is fair and just to all. As we obey the word of God, we are producing fruits which will remain for others to see and give glory to God (Galatians 5:22-23). Still, if we remember that it was the mercy and love of God which brought us to where we are, then we must be merciful toward others (Ephesians 2:4; Titus 3:5).

7. We must not be partial towards those who may be different, regardless of the diversities (James 2:1-4). This is not the will of God because He sends the rain on the just and on the unjust alike (Matthew 5:45).

8. Whatever we do must be in the name of Jesus and without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9). Let your yea be yea, and your nay be nay, with humility and grace (James 5:12).

 

The passages reveal to all believers showing us the kind of, and quality of Christian life we should present to the world. Our aim must always be to please God and bring honour and glory to Him. Always keep in mind the times in which we live, how dangerous, sinful and ungodly the world has become. These should cause us to draw closer to God and to please Him in every way possible. By pleasing God, we seek to walk in wisdom as we redeem the time while we await the coming of the Lord.