Redeeming the Time

Time is precious. Once gone, it can’t be recovered, and we are never guaranteed more of it. Though we see no signs of approaching death, today may be our last (Job 16:22, 9:25-26; James 4:14). Nothing is more precious than time, and yet we waste it like nothing else.
 
Don’t waste time because God is near (Isaiah 55:6, 2 Corinthians 6:2). Don’t waste time on meaningless or useless things.
 
Don’t be lazy and merely talk, having nothing to share with those in need. (Proverbs 19:15, 23:21, 14:23, 18:9; Ephesians 4:28). Don’t spend time on evil things, hurting yourself and others, increasing eternal misery and damnation.
 
Don’t spend time only in worldly pursuits, neglecting your soul and eternity. What do we really gain from pursuing the world? This time is for the eternity that follows it.
 
Our welfare depends on how wisely we use our time. Have we filled our time with eternal good?
 
We are accountable to God for our words, deeds, and how we have used our time, because we are God’s servants (Matthew 12:36). When God asks for an account of our time, what can we give? Have we made the best use of it for God and for our soul?
 
So, hasten and don’t delay obeying God (Psalm 119:60). Make the most of our opportunities, particularly those more important for our eternal life. This includes Sunday public worship in communion with God and His words.
 
We should use time not just for ourselves, but also to rescue others from their evil ways. So, God may defer anger, allowing such people to be redeemed from destruction.
 
Work is good, but so is rest and recreation. Use them to refresh for the work you are called to do.
 
In any case, we may have already wasted a lot of our time. As we get older, our opportunity, availability, and ability to do good diminish. It will be too late if our eyes are finally opened on our death beds. Even worse, if after death we end up in the fire of hell, then we will be left only with sorrow and regrets.
 
Whether we are young or old, we should diligently redeem time.
 
Make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16). Use time to prepare for our eternity. Beware that the day of judgment is coming soon (Revelation 10:5-6).
 
Summary of a sermon by Jonathan Edwards:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt6XUf5ikfQ



赎回时间
 
时间宝贵，一去不复返。 无人能确定自己还有明天。虽然没有看到死亡濒临的迹象，但今天可能就是最后的一天 (约伯记 16:22, 9:25-26; 雅各书 4:14).
 
没有什么比时间更为宝贵，然而浪费最多的就是时间。
 
不要浪费现今的时光, 亲近上帝吧，因为我们能与祂相近 (以赛亚书 55:6, 哥林多后书 6:2)。 不要把时间浪费在无意义或无用之处。
 
不要懒惰，不要嘴上多言浪费时间，以致没有什么可以与有需要的人分享 (箴言 19:15, 23:21, 14:23, 18:9; 以弗所书 4:28)。
 
不要把时间花在邪恶的事情上：不要伤人害己为自己增加永恒的痛苦和诅咒。
 
不要只把时间花在世俗的追求上而忽视自己的灵魂和永恒。从世俗追求中真正得到什么呢？如今的时光当为以后的永恒来准备。
 
人的福祉取决于如何智慧地使用时间。将时间投资倾注在永恒的事物上了吗？
 
每个人都要为自己的言行和如何利用时间向上帝负责，因为我们是祂的仆人 (马太福音 12:36)。当上帝要求对过去的时间交代时，如何回答呢？是否为了上帝和自己的灵魂充分地利用好时间呢?
 
所以要快快地遵守上帝的命令，不要再拖延 (诗篇 119:60)。充分利用现今宝贵的机会，尤其那些对自己永生更为重要的机会，包括与上帝和祂的话语相交的主日敬拜。
 
不仅将时间用于自己身上，还应该用时间将他人从邪恶中拯救出来。 这样上帝就可以延迟祂的忿怒，使这些人有机会从毁灭中得到救赎。
 
工作固然是一件美事，但也需要休息和娱乐。 让休息和娱乐使我们重新得力，去做蒙召要做的事。
 
可能已经浪费了很多时间. 随着年龄增长，每个人的机会、可用的时间和作善工的能力也不断地减少。 如果在临终前才睁开眼睛领会明白那就太晚了。更糟糕的是如果死后最终落入地狱之火中，剩下的只有永远的悲伤和遗憾了。
 
因此无论年轻还是年老，殷勤努力地赎回时间吧。
 
当爱惜光阴，利用尚存的时间为永恒作准备(以弗所书 5:16)。留心审判的日子即将来临 (启示录 10:5-6)。