Redeeming The Time

2 Timothy 3:1-5

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

If we ever needed to witness more, it is now! Things aren't looking good in this great country we know as the United States of America. People are getting further away from the true and living God. Less people claim to be born again. Our young people are getting more rebellious. These scriptures in 2 Timothy describe the times that we are living in. We need to make the most of the time that we have to reach those that are lost in their sins. How many do we pass by from day to day that are without Jesus Christ in their life? They are all around us. Most people I talk to hope to go to Heaven. A lot don't even think about where they are going when they pass from this life. They are drifting dangerously without salvation through Jesus' blood! They are like a vehicle that is out of control and about to crash or go off a cliff! 

The Scriptures speak of redeeming the time twice:

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:2, 15-17 KJV)

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Colossians 4:5, 6)

From Barnes' Notes On The Bible- Redeeming the time - The word rendered here as "redeeming," means "to purchase; to buy up" from the possession or power of anyone; and then to redeem, to set free - as from service or bondage; notes, Galatians 3:13. Here it means, to rescue or recover our time from waste; to improve it for great and important purposes.

We can't buy back the time that we have wasted in the past or the missed opportunities that we have had, but we can make the most of the time that we have now. We can redeem the time be seeing the urgency of the hour! We must start conversations with as many as we can to compel them to come to the foot of the cross by repenting of their sins and putting their trust in Jesus! We must distribute tracts everywhere we go! We must seize every opportunity that comes our way! 

Let this be the prayer of the soul-winner: "Please use me, Lord! Send me to someone that isn't saved! Please give me divine appointments! I want to make the best of every opportunity that comes my way! I want to see souls pray through till they know that You have heard their cry and have washed them in the Blood! Let our cry be "Give us souls, lest we die!"