REDEEMING THE TIME

1. TIME is your most essential treasure, when it is exhausted you DIE, “… as it is appointed unto men ONCE TO DIE, but after this the JUDGMENT” [Hebrews 9:27] Man’s appointment with DEATH begins in the womb, those who survive gestation to parturition daily contend with unanticipated demise. Maturity, not of age but of the Spirit, confer advantage of GRACE to amend ills of “CHILDHOOD”, “When I was a CHILD, I SPAKE AS A CHILD, I UNDERSTOOD AS A CHILD, I THOUGHT AS A CHILD: but when I became a MAN, I put away CHILDISH THINGS” [1 Corinthians 13:11] A CHILD in this context is one unwise pertaining DIVINE AGENDA of SALVATION through Jesus Christ, seasons of TIME and JUDGMENT, “So teach us to NUMBER OUR DAYS, that we may APPLY OUR HEARTS UNTO WISDOM” [Psalms 90:12] Jesus Christ is the WISDOM of God, our only HOPE of escape from JUDGMENT; as many as yield their hearts to Him are delivered from eternal condemnation, “There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION TO THEM WHICH ARE IN CHRIST JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the SPIRIT” [Romans 8:1] Walking in the Spirit awaken us to the imminent END of TIME; we are not unduly troubled by present instabilities, watching not to be caught off guard, “See then that ye WALK CIRCUMSPECTLY, not as FOOLS, but as WISE, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the DAYS ARE EVIL” [Ephesians 5:15-16]

2. REDEEMING THE TIME require coming to terms with Dateline Bible Prophecy and demands of present time. We are closer to the END of TIME than many imagine,  “MEN’S HEARTS FAILING THEM FOR FEAR, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken” [Luke 21:26] This verse, written some 2,000 years ago foretold with unerring accuracy, the season of Christ’s appearance and of events leading to termination of the present world, “… heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the EARTH ALSO and the WORKS THAT ARE THEREIN SHALL BE BURNED UP” [2 Peter 3:10] Knowing that these things shall shortly come to pass, we shall all stand before the Judgment Throne of God and IGNORANCE shall be no excuse, let us REDEEM THE TIME and escape impending JUDGMENT, “And the times of this IGNORANCE God winked at; but now commandeth all MEN EVERY WHERE TO REPENT: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will JUDGE THE WORLD in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” [Acts 17:30] If any man is IGNORANT of these things, let him REDEEM the years of his blindness through REPENTANCE and accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour, “Being BORN AGAIN, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the WORD OF GOD, which liveth and abideth for ever” [1 Peter 1:23]

3. REDEEMING THE TIME calls for WISDOM, as we navigate the final season of TIME; what you HEAR is far more vital than ever. Always remember, you are BORN AGAIN not of human wisdom or material things but of the revelation of TRUTH in Jesus Christ, avoid by all means, “Perverse disputings of MEN OF CORRUPT MINDS, and destitute of the truth, SUPPOSING THAT GAIN IS GODLINESS: from such withdraw thyself” [1 Timothy 6:5] Beware of those who manipulate Scriptures to provoke unbridled passion for earthly GAIN, they do so to distract and make merchandise of you, “And through COVETOUSNESS shall they with FEIGNED WORDS make MERCHANDISE OF YOU: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” [2 Peter 2:3] Having this mind, that the appearance of the Lord shall be as a thief in the night, take good care to sermons you hear and believe not everything you see on social media; the airwaves are saturated with deception but, “STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, a WORKMAN that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun PROFANE and VAIN BABBLINGS: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” [2 Timothy 2:15-16] Watch your steps, whosoever is not BORN AGAIN is “WITHOUT”, define limit of your fraternization with such; do not succumb to filial, national or similar emotional distress as to lower your spiritual guard and compromise. Your faith, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time” [Colossians 4:5]

4. REDEEMING THE TIME is painful adventure of faith, “Wherefore if thy HAND or thy FOOT OFFEND THEE, CUT THEM OFF, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire” [Matthew 18:8] HAND, FOOT and indeed EYES, MOUTH and EARS symbolize the HEART from whence proceed everything that defile and must be purged, “… lest at any time your HEARTS BE OVERCHARGED WITH SURFEITING, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that DAY COME UPON YOU UNAWARES” [Luke 21:34] Spend your time wisely, knowing there is little or no time left and we must give account of every second before God. Refuse to be a spectator, deploy your time, energy and resources to do the WORK of the Kingdom of God as best as you can, “As every man hath RECEIVED THE GIFT, even so MINISTER THE SAME one to another, as GOOD STEWARDS of the manifold GRACE of God” [1 Peter 4:10] Be not bothered with religious titles, all God require is a pure, teachable and willing heart to utilize His GIFT, “For it is God which worketh in you both to WILL and to DO of HIS GOOD PLEASURE” [Philippians 2:13] REDEEM THE TIME, as one that knows his Master is at the door, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” [Revelation 22:12]