“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty 

words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  (Ephesians 5:1-17)

 

In the context of relationships, Paul includes a very important reminder about time.  Paul is teaching the Ephesian Christians how they are to live since they have been united with Christ (unity with Christ being the theme of the letter).  He explains that they are to imitate God and walk in love, and the way we are to do this is to be light where there is darkness, because now “you are light in the Lord.”  Because Jesus is true and perfect and always God-glorifying, we are to be the same.  We are not to take part in “the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

So if we are to be light in Christ among the darkness, we must heed Paul’s command: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise…”  What is Paul’s example of wisdom here?  ”…making the best use of the time.”  

Redeeming the Time

While the ESV translates this phrase as “making the best use of the time,” a more clear translation is “redeeming the time.”  This Greek word has the idea of “redeeming” or “buying back.”  If you have a coupon for a free Frappuccino, the chocolate kind with little chocolate sprinkles and chocolaty chocolate syrup….oh, sorry, rabbit trail.  If you have that coupon, and as you order you only ask to use the coupon for 1 cent (because that is what it is worth when not being redeemed – read the fine print), then you are not redeeming the coupon.  You are wasting it.  

If you are to redeem it, then seeing the value that it has, you use it for its full potential – a chocolaty cup of goodness.

If you are going to “redeem the time,” then you need to use it for its full potential.  But not full potential in the way the world means it – every day is for you, so you should take this day and make yourself happy.  That kind use of time is like using the coupon for 1 cent – it is wasting the potential the day has! 

You’ve been given time to glorify God!  Not time like minutes on a clock, but time as in season of time (this distinction is made in the Greek between kairos and kronos).  We live in the “time” (or period of time) between Christ’s first and second coming.  And this season of time is a God-given-gift over which we are stewards.  You are to walk wisely, making the best use of “the” time.

The Days are Evil

The reason that you are to walk wisely by redeeming the time is because we are at war.  Not war in a far away country with other people, but war in our lives wherever we are with evil.  Evil does not want God to be glorified, and doesn’t want us to bring light to the darkness, because evil knows that darkness cannot overcome the light.  

We are tempted from every side to waste our days – to sleep half the day away, be entertained the rest of the day, and go back to sleep late at night.  Or even if we seem busy most of the time, we are tempted to use our time to serve ourselves, never bringing glory to God by being light in darkness.  

Vocation and Time

But you may be saying, “I don’t have time for this!  I’m a student!  I have chores!  When can I fit this in?!”  These are good questions, but we must recognize that Paul was not calling the Ephesian church to drop their jobs and schooling and relationships to fulfill this command.  He called them to “Look carefully then how you walk…do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  As they walked through their days (walking=living), they are to look for opportunities, and even make opportunities where none are to be found, so that they might redeem the time, chasing away untruth and evil.  We are to use our vocations for this task, not abandon them for it.

The Will of the Lord

You may ask yourself from time to time: “What is God’s will for my life?”  Paul gives you your answer right here in vs. 17.  What is God’s will for your life?  You are walk wisely by redeeming the time.  Plain and simple.  

Now of course this can work itself out through your going to whichever college or choosing to marry whatever person or even choosing a varying range of jobs for the future.  But whatever direction you choose to go in these vocations, recognize that in each of them the will of the Lord is for you to redeem the time you have while doing them.  What do you want to do in life?  Are you gifted to do it?  Is it a godly pursuit?  (side note: “godly pursuit” doesn’t mean becoming a pastor or missionary; it means being worthy of bringing honor to God – for Paul, even tent making made the cut; and don’t forget Jesus was a carpenter).  Then what ever you choose to do, do it as light in the Lord exposing the darkness!

Conclusion

So, how can you use your time better?  How can you turn your life into a candle that drives away darkness?  You must at least start with being a light in the Lord!  Know the Lord Jesus!  It is only our union with Him that causes evil to be put away, both in us and in our relationships with others.  ”Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…”  A second way to use your time better is to seek out darkness in your own life and allow the Lord to drive it out.  Finally, a third way is to help our friends, families, and acquaintances to see darkness in their lives, and to lovingly be light to them, exposing the darkness.