Redeem the Time :
The end of this year 2007 has come. Shortly we hope to start a new year 2008. At an occasion like this we look back at this past year which seems to have just started.
Our daily life is often in a hurry. We have no time. So many things to do, so many things occupy us. In the midst of all the temptations of modern life one of the greatest temptations is to be so occupied with many matters of this life, that we have no time for more important things, the things of God's Kingdom and the needs of our soul. 
God's Word speaks about time. Ephesians 5:16 says, ‘Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.’

1. Time is precious.
Our welfare in this world depends on how we have used our time. If we waste our time in this life we can not expect a good salary and great prosperity. Similarly if we waste our time regarding spiritual matters we can not expect a blessed eternity. Our state in eternity depends on how we use our time for the needs of our soul.
Time is precious because it is short. It runs away like water in your hand. Our life is but a vapour, like rising smoke that vanishes away (Jas.4: 14; Isa.40:6-8). Our time here on earth is nothing but a moment in comparison to eternity. Time is so short and the work which must be done is so great that we have none of it to spare. In this short time we have to prepare for eternity.
We do not know when we will leave this world and so we think that we have all the time in the world. Time is also precious because when it is past, it cannot be recovered. Time that is spent is gone for ever, never to come back. What did we do with our time? We may have learnt new computer games, but did we learn to fear God? Have we taken the eternal needs of our soul into consideration?

Time is a blessing the Lord gives us. The Lord gives us all a limited time. At the end of our time we will be called to give an account. We are God's servants. Every servant has to give an account before his master (Matt. 25:14-30). We will have to give an account of how we used that great talent of time.
The Lord was good to us. He supplied us all our needs. Every morning His goodness was new again (Lam. 3:23). His loving kindness was as high as the heavens. He has done no injustice. He has been good to us. We have much reason to humble ourselves before the Lord, and thank Him for this precious gift of time.

2. Time is an opportunity to do good.
The word used here for time really means opportunity. In Eph. 5: 16, Paul speaks about the life of holiness. God's children must walk in love, no foolish talking, no filthiness, no covetousness, but always showing goodness and righteousness and truth. Redeeming the time means, you have the opportunity to do good. In Luke 12:54-56, Jesus says, ‘ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?’ The people did not recognize the right time. They lived on in their unbelief. Blinded by their sins, they did not realize that God was visiting them in His Son. They did not make use of this opportunity.
 
Time is a special gift of God to do what is pleasing in God's sight. Our future depends on how we spend that time and what we do with that opportunity, which God gives us. 
If you are going on a journey preparations are needed. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob made preparations. They waited for God's salvation, for God had prepared them a city (Heb.11:10). Yet there are so many eople, who have to go on the great journey to eternity and make no preparations. Use the opportunity the Lord gives you. It is only for a little while. Do not postpone. Do not waste precious time. Seek the

Lord now and in the present day. Heb 3:15 says, ‘To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.’ Today is the time of grace.

3. The Time must be redeemed.
The redeeming of the time means that man, sacrificing his earthly pleasures and comforts,  would rescue their opportunities the Lord gives to gain salvation and to do good, out of the hands of temptations.
The devil is at work robbing us of our time. He gives us little worthless glass beads in exchange for diamonds and rubies. The days are evil. There are many temptations that  man can fill his life with, which are all useless.
We need to get rid of these temptations and thorns. Hard work and toil should not be an excuse for neglecting the day of grace, or neglecting to do good. We are so easy and quick with excuses!
There is much temptation as never before to draw people away from God and to trick people that as long as they do not commit the gross sins of the world they are safe, while in the meantime thinking they are doing good, they are deceived by other temptations. Anything will do so as to keep you away from seeking the Lord:
Look how businessmen are. They work day and night and do leave not any opportunity to increase their business. No entertainments, no recreations, no interfering of friends. Nothing will stop them from pursuing their business. Is not the well being of our soul and seeking eternal life more important than running a business? How easily are we deterred and brought off from seeking the salvation of our soul.
We are so concerned about coming too late at work, but God has an appointment with you. He is going to keep that appointment, if you are prepared or not. Are you ready?
In Matt. 11:23 Jesus warns, ‘and thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.’ The Lord has spared you up to this moment. Others were taken away but He has spared you.

God now calls you. Hear Him. Flee to Him in what ever condition you are. With Him there is forgiveness,  a new life and a new holy walk. His Spirit can lead to repentance, into a holy walk with God.
Proverbs 1: 24 says: Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded... I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; ... Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.