As seen by the verses quoted below, Paul uses the phrase, "redeeming the time" in a few instances within his epistles. What does this expression mean, and how do we apply this advice into our daily walk.
Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without [ie: in your interactions with non-believers], redeeming the time.
Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
The word rendered here as "redeeming", means to "to buy up" or "buy back". In the context of the above verses we can understand it as, to rescue or recover our time from waste; to improve it for better, or for more noble purposes.
When I was younger, I struggled with the concept of 'walk in the Spirit' (Galatians 5:16). I'd get out of bed in the morning saying, "Now remember, Stay in the spirit! Walk in the spirit! Don't get sidetracked!" I would stay on course for a while, but then catch myself doing things without the conscious though of spiritual things. The day gets busy and your mind needs to attend to other things, so how did Paul expect me to walk in the Spirit.
Other scripture references baffled me just as much, like,
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
How was I to pray without ceasing? If that was a command, I'd fail after just a few minutes! Well, I'm glad to say that as I grew in wisdom in the Word, and as I started to understand the Word in the context of right division, all these expressions became clearer.
The same context that helped me to understand the above instructions also provides context to our topic of "redeeming the time". In order to stay conscious of using our time wisely for the Lord, we must recognize that it is not a mind over matter thing. We will never be able to train our mind to stay focused on living for the Lord with so many distractions throughout our day. The key to redeeming our time is that it become a lifestyle, not a rule. With this understanding, you will now also be able to comprehend how one can pray without ceasing, and walk in the Spirit, and give thanks in every circumstance.
You see, living for the Lord is not a mental on and off switch. It is a way of life. Please note that this does not happen overnight. This is a slow process of learning and adapting ones ways based on what you learn in the Word of God. Over time, you find yourself doing things naturally, without having to be mentally conscious of it. You will notice that you are more thankful. You will find yourself praying without even thinking about it. Praise and worship will be constantly present in your spirit. To the extent that these qualities grow, you will find yourself walking in the Spirit, considering and attending to those prompts of conscience and the compulsion of love (2 Corinthians 5:14) affecting your lifestyle and habits. It is at this point that you will also be ever conscious of redeeming time. Not because you are thinking about it, but because you are living it naturally.
Redeeming the time is taking every opportunity to do good, to be a blessing, to glorify Christ in your personality and speech and actions, not because you are thinking about it, but because that's who you are; or more accurately, that's what the Living Word has made you to be. You become a living testimony of God's grace through your mannerisms. You become a natural reconciler, bringing people to an understanding of God's love and saving grace.
Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
The key to redeeming the time, to walking in the Spirit, to praying without ceasing, and to living the Christian life, in NOT from the mind, which will utterly fail and bring you to condemnation, but from the person you have become, shaped by the Word, influenced by the indwelling Spirit of Life, naturally given over to the desires of Christ.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
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