"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." — Ephesians 5:16
Jonathan Edwards preached that time is one of God's most precious gifts. Once it is gone, it can never be recovered. Money lost may be regained. Health lost may sometimes return. But a single moment of time, once spent, is gone forever.
Time is the space God gives us to prepare for eternity. During our lives we have opportunities to know God, repent of sin, trust in Christ, grow in holiness, serve others, and lay up treasures in heaven.
When death comes, these opportunities end.
The Bible says:
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Every hour that passes brings us closer to eternity. Therefore time is more valuable than gold, silver, or earthly possessions.
Our lives are remarkably brief.
Scripture repeatedly compares life to a vapor, a shadow, and a flower that quickly fades.
"For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14)
"Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow." (Psalm 144:4)
A thousand years may seem long to us, but compared to eternity they are less than a moment. The longest human life is only a short journey before entering the endless ages to come.
Since life is short, every day should be treated as precious.
Time never stands still.
Whether we sleep or wake, work or rest, every second moves us nearer to death and judgment.
The sun continually moves across the sky. The clock never stops. Every heartbeat reminds us that our earthly life is slipping away.
Many people act as though they have plenty of time, yet none of us knows how long we will live.
"You do not know what tomorrow will bring." (James 4:14)
"Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)
Wisdom begins when we realize that our days are numbered.
One of Edwards' most sobering points is that wasted time is gone forever.
A person may regret wasted years, but no amount of sorrow can bring them back.
The opportunities neglected yesterday cannot be relived today.
The rich man in Christ's parable desired another opportunity after death, but none was given to him (Luke 16:19–31).
Therefore, we should carefully guard our time and use it for God's glory.
Many people are diligent in business, education, recreation, or worldly pursuits, but careless about their souls.
They spend countless hours on temporary concerns and very little on eternal things.
Yet Christ taught:
"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness." (Matthew 6:33)
Time devoted to knowing God is never wasted.
Prayer, Scripture reading, worship, fellowship, evangelism, and service to Christ have eternal value.
What we do for God's kingdom will outlast this present world.
Death often comes unexpectedly.
Young and old alike are called into eternity every day.
No one has a guarantee of tomorrow.
"Boast not yourself of tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may bring forth." (Proverbs 27:1)
Because life is uncertain, delaying repentance is dangerous.
The person who says, "I will seek God later," assumes a future that God has never promised.
The Bible repeatedly calls sinners to come to Christ today.
"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." (Hebrews 3:15)
Without Christ, time carries sinners closer to judgment.
But for believers, every moment becomes an opportunity to glorify God and prepare for heaven.
The Christian's time is not his own. It belongs to the Lord who redeemed him.
"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)
A life spent serving Christ is never wasted, even if it appears small or unnoticed by the world.
Value every day as a gift
from God.
Do not assume you have many years remaining.
Avoid wasting time on
sinful and worthless pursuits.
What does not help you
glorify God or fulfill your responsibilities should be carefully
examined.
Make diligent use of God's
means of grace.
Spend regular time in prayer,
Scripture, worship, and fellowship.
Pursue the salvation of
your soul above earthly success.
The soul is worth
more than the whole world (Mark 8:36).
Serve Christ while opportunities remain.
There
is work to be done today that cannot be done after death.
Jonathan Edwards teaches that time is one of God's most precious gifts because it is the brief season allotted to us before eternity begins. Every passing hour is a treasure that can never be recovered. Therefore, Christians should not drift through life carelessly, but should "redeem the time" by living wisely, seeking God earnestly, serving Christ faithfully, and preparing for the world to come.
"So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:16)
The person who understands the value of time will strive to spend it for the glory of God and the good of his soul, knowing that eternity is drawing near with every passing moment.