 |
|||
Volume. XXV, No. 25 Redeeming the Time - Part IIntroduction: To Walk Circumspectly, not as fools (v.15)
We are told by Apostle Paul to walk circumspectly or carefully, not as fools, but as wise. The phrase not as fools is connected to the practices of devotion to the ancient god Bacchus, who is “worshiped” with drinking, partying, and the orgies in which his worshippers acted like madmen running about, tossing their heads from shoulder to shoulder, and appearing to be in every sense completely frantic. In other words, Paul is urging the readers not to indulge in godless partying and fun-making coupled with intoxication of alcohol which is common among pagans. Most Christians today certainly do not intoxicate themselves with alcohol or indulge themselves in godless activities. Nonetheless, it is possible for a Christian to become addicted to other forms of ungodly activities. Despite the fact that there isn’t in the Bible a list of ungodly activities that Christians are forbidden to attend or get involved with, yet the Word of God does give us enough principles to guide us to walk circumspectly as wise. Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 says, “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” This passage has been called the briefest biography of Christ. For Christ is the One who is "True." He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. "Whatsoever things are honest"—He is Honest. "Whatsoever things are just"—He is called the Just One. "Pure"—the only pure individual who ever walked this earth was the Lord Jesus. If we are to walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, we need to imitate the life and examples of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
What is to redeem the time? (v. 16)
Paul says, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:16) Why did Paul urge believers to redeem their time? Because the days are evil, Paul says. It is evil because the days of life in general are so exposed to evil, as to make it necessary to make the most of the seasonable opportunity so long as it lasts (Eph 6:13; Gen 47:9; Ps 49:5; Ecc 11:2; Ecc 12:1; Joh 12:35).
Then what is the “time” that Paul is talking about? Is he speaking of “time in general” or is he speaking of “a specific time”? There are two Greek words used for “time”. One (chronos) has the idea simply of day upon day and hour upon hour or “sequential” time. The other (kairos) has the idea of a definite portion of time or a time where something should happen. The latter is the word Paul used in Ephesians 5:16. The idea here is of “the time” not just general sequential time. It is a “definite season of opportunity” that Christians must redeem. The idea behind redeeming the time is that you buy up opportunities like a shrewd businessman. This same word is translated “opportunity” in Galatians 6:10. But the word opportunity must not be confused with “random chance” or “luck”. For, every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights (James 1:17). Some may ask, “Isn’t the word chance used in the Bible in Luke 10:31? The word translated as “chance” in Luke 10:31 by the translators literally means by way of coincidence of circumstances on the part of the Levite who came along, or from his perspective by way of circumstances, he saw a man lying down half-dead on the road. The context does say that that particular event happened by random chance. And the word translated as “chance” which only occurred four times (Deut 22:6; 1 Sam 6:9; 2 Sam 1:6; Ecc 9:11) in Old Testaments also has similar connotation.
We must not deny that circumstances or situations are the means God, who is the primary cause, uses to accomplish His will and purposes. They are called secondary causes. Thomas Aquinas says, “God is the primary cause of everything, but has chosen to work indirectly through secondary causes.” Yet, God is not limited by those means to accomplish to divine purposes: God acts from within and without upon them. All that happens is the result of God’s use of means to achieve God’s ends, meaning God also decrees, and announces the connection between the means and the ends. Nothing happens by random chances as the secularists or fatalists would “otherwise definite”.
Therefore, when Paul tells us to redeem the time, he isn\'t telling us to make the most of every moment. That is not the context here, though that is good piece of advice. He is telling us to seize opportunity or circumstances for the glory of Jesus Christ who has redeemed us by His blood. In other words, it isn\'t to make the most of time, but to make the most of “the time” worthwhile. Whatever opportunity which God has given us, we need to make most out of it for God’s glory! Are we making the most of every opportunity for Jesus Christ? Why must we redeem the time?
To be continued…
Ps Weng |
|