Today’s Readings: Colossians 1.12, 16, 2.8, 14, 18, 3.18, 20, 22-25, 4.1, 5
We have been talking for some time now about the concept of living out life with DIRECTION. We are about to embark onto a new approach to this truth. I have selected some verses from the book of Colossians (from where we took our study on directions.) Take a second and look up these verses in your Bible as we go along today and ask the Spirit of God to show them to you in a new light.
First, look at the last verse noted above, Colossians 4.5. Here, Paul leaves the church at Colosse with a unique challenge to be, “redeem the time”. What could that mean, especially in connection with the words that come directly before the phrase?
Let’s trace our way through the verses above and see where we land as we try to understand the meaning of this phrase, “redeeming the time”.
In 1.12, we see a reference to our being made PARTAKERS of the INHERITANCE of the saints in light. So early on in this letter we see the entrance of the idea of an INHERITANCE, something that lies in our future.
In 1.16, we are clearly told that ALL THINGS that includes us, the things we have stewardship of, the actions we take (anything and everything!), were created FOR HIM. Although that seems to be going against everything within us, it’s true. Life is not for me. Life is not for you. Life is BY and FOR Him, period.
In 2.8 & 18, we made aware of the possibility that we can be SPOILED or BEGUILED of that INHERITANCE. Just like fruit spoils, the inheritance can become no good, wasted, lost. Just like someone may break into our houses and “spoil” us of our property, some false apostles (2 Cor 11) will come and preach another gospel and take away that inheritance we could have offered to God one day.
In 2.14, we are told that the removal of our guilt (the thing which makes us able to partake of the inheritance) was through the cross of Christ. Which, leaves us to draw the conclusion that we shall likely want to give Him something in return someday.
In 3.18, 20, & 22, we see that the MOTIVATION for us to do right in our personal relationships comes from the desire to be FIT, WELL PLEASING, and FEARING before God. Wow, it’s almost like Paul understood that his life here was going to matter a whole lot more than just for the years he spends on earth.
In 3.23, that understanding is made very clear. Paul says that even in the most basic task, everything is to be done AS BEFORE THE LORD. This makes since because everything we do will one day be presented “before the Lord” for us to give an account (2 Cor 5.10).
In 3.24, we see the source of our inheritance clearly identified as well, it is OF THE LORD. So, He will be the one deciding who gets what reward. (That truth will be very important as this study progresses)
In 3.25, we are reminded that reward will be dealt for right, and the wrong will receive what it deserves as well (being burnt up, see 1 Cor 3.11-15). In that dealing out of rewards and retributions, God has NO respect of persons as we would (in other words, we may cut our mother some slack, or come down harder on our enemies, while God is perfectly Just and Right all the time and in every situation).
In 4.1, we are reminded of our Master in heaven, who like a master on earth is given power and control of his servants.
Now, with all of that in mind, return to our text verse in 4.5. No wonder we should REDEEM (buy back, use properly, never waste) the TIME (our only true resource, one of the main factors of the coming judgment) towards those who are WITHOUT.
I love that word “WITHOUT”, it reminds me of Eph 2.12. Think of it this way as we close today…
Do I really appreciate my Lord? After all that He has and will give to me, do for me, and be for me, is that enough for me to share Him with those who have not experienced what I have? Will that reality cause me to walk differently today, especially towards those people in my life who are without God, who could be potential worshipers? When I really understand the truths of these verses, I can’t help but respond to the challenge of them. Amen.
