Redeem the Time

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:03:16 +0000

“. . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

That’s one of the Apostle Paul’s phrases (Ephesians 5:16); the phrase is sometimes translated as “make the most of every opportunity,” but I prefer “redeeming the time”. Redemption language is mostly used in connection with salvation. But the original context for that language was the slave market, when a slave’s freedom was purchased. When that happened, the slave was redeemed: bought at a price, paid in full, and set free. It’s a striking picture of what Jesus did for you: bought you at a price — his own blood — paid in full, and set you free. You’re not a slave (to the devil, to sin, to fear, to death, to selfishness) anymore.

Jesus did even more: he then adopted you as his child, and appointed you as his priest and ambassador.

He redeemed you. Is there a better story in all the earth?

And this is the language Paul uses in relation to time: Redeem it. Buy it back, set it free, and appoint it to a new purpose entirely. So much of our time is “enslaved” — we’re stuck in traffic, or waiting outside a doctor’s office, or sick in bed, or locked into a job we can barely stand. Time is our taskmaster. It rules us, and grinds us.

Well, redeem it: pray in the traffic jam, ‘walk across the room’ in the Doctor’s office, memorize the Word on your sick bed, turn your menial tasks into acts of worship. When you do that, you rule time, and it submits to you. You’re free.

My challenge to you this week: when you find yourself in circumstances you can’t change — time is not your own, but is ‘enslaved’ to some other purpose. Ask God how you might, there and then, redeem it. And then just do it.

by Mark Buchanan
used by permission

Something Else Entirely

Devotionals — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 09:01:19 +0000

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

When you think of “freedom,” what do you think of? Emancipation from slavery? Getting out of jail? Leaving work? Moving out of the house? Freedom is associated with all of those thoughts and more.

Today, many tend to associate freedom to mean “free to do as I please.” This concept applies to all of the categories mentioned above. A slave becomes free from his master’s commands. An ex-con can now do things without being guarded all the time. An employee is now free to relax outside of work. A young adult can abide by his or her own wishes instead of his or her parents’ wishes.

The Bible mentions the word “free” or “freedom” many times throughout the New Testament. But the Bible associates freedom with something else entirely.

Being free in Christ means a different kind of freedom. It is the freedom from being enslaved to sin.

Nonbelievers don’t have the means to be freed from their habitual sins apart from Christ. They hopelessly continue to fight and struggle without any resolution.

We have been redeemed! We are freed from the vicious sin cycle that ensnares nonbelievers. Although we may struggle in this life, our struggle is not in vain. We have eternal freedom.

We don’t have to worry about sin entangling us to the point where we cannot be delivered. We don’t have to live in hopelessness. Yes, we will still sin, but sin doesn’t have us beat. We can conquer whatever sin comes our way through Christ.

Dear Lord, please give me the ability to conquer sin in my life. Give me the strength that I need, which will give me the hope of victory. Amen.

Think about an area in life that may be enslaving you. Have a problem with lying incessantly? Negative attitude? Harsh words? Whatever it may be, honestly ask Christ to help you defeat these sins so you can be free.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

enslaved | Thoughts About God

Redeem the Time

Something Else Entirely

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