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A Matter of Time
by Sis Judy
Col.4:5 "Walk in wisdom toward them that
are without, redeeming the time."
Time has brought us to the beginning of
another year and we are hearing people say “Oh, Where has time
gone?” It does seem like time flies. But time has many meanings
to many people. There are some who look anxiously for an
up-coming date or time. We know there are families waiting for
their sons and daughters to return from the war. Others are
looking forward to their wedding date or maybe a graduation
date. Even the birth of a new baby or some other date and time
they look eagerly forward too. Life is very fast paced for some
people. We often hear the expression, “There is not enough time
in the day.” Then there are others who wish time would stand
still. Some who are sitting with love ones on the brink of death
that wished they had more time. Some who would like to go back
in time, maybe to make a wrong right or to make better life
choices.
We know that only God holds all time in His
hands. . Rev.1:8 says…”I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the ending, saith the Lord.” Very few people look at their watch
and ask if it is time for God to arrive. Ephs. 5:16 tells us to
"redeem the time". God has lingered in His mercy and loves
seeking souls who need to give their heart and life to Him.
The beginning of that scripture says that we
should walk in wisdom toward those that are without. Many times
I have heard people quote the last part of that scripture but
few times the beginning. I believe that God has put the
responsibly of soul winning on us with these words.
That scripture says to walk in wisdom and God
has provided that for us in James 1: 5 "If any of you (man or
woman) lack wisdom, (knowledge of what is true or right coupled
with just judgment as to action) let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally."
It is a wrong judgment when we are not careful
of what we say or how we act. I believe
this is true in regard to both our brothers
and sisters in Christ and also to those we know that are
unsaved..
Just in the past year, I have seen how the
enemy of our souls has been able to use this to his purpose.
Snap judgment has been made on the saints, idle words are
floating around, careless statements are being made and unwise
choices are also on the list. Have you ever stood in line on
Sunday for lunch where people from all over town are gathering
to eat, and before you can be seated, you hear all kinds of
comments about the service, the minister, the songs and who sang
them, whose children were bad and why someone missed services!
We need to be very careful of what we say and
how we do things. We can have an effect not only on the sinner
but also on the saints. Careless words and actions can have a
strong and lasting impression. We can never go back and
re-capture time. It is like having a pillow fight and the pillow
might bust open and scatter feathers everywhere. It is
impossible to gather up all those feathers again. So let us
redeem the time, so we will know how to walk in wisdom toward
those who are without. I believe God would have us put forth
more of an effort along these lines
"Every morning you are handed 24 golden hours.
They are one of the few things in this world that you get free
of charge. If you had all the money in the world, you couldn't
buy an extra hour. What will you do with this priceless
treasure?" Author Unknown
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