We all have the tendency to take our time and procrastinate. However, we must understand that time is precious and that we cannot buy time or double our time. All we can do is to double our efforts to accomplish things within a given time. Indeed, we do not have the luxury of time. For this reason, God, through the prophet Jeremiah, said, “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved” (Jer. 8:20). As far as our salvation is concerned, time is of the essence. There is a season or set time for us to make a decision concerning our salvation. We cannot keep on living the way we want and expect to be saved beyond the season given to us.
In his epistle, the apostle Paul emphasized the need to treasure our time. He said, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). Time flies and it waits for nobody. We need to make use of our time wisely to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Even as we watch the events that are happening, we could see that it is becoming more difficult to live holy lives. Wickedness is invading the whole world and, unless we redeem our time, we might find ourselves embroiled in it and running out of time in the end. The most horrible thing that could ever happen to us is to be left behind because “the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved”.
To further explain the need for us to redeem the time, the apostle Paul said, “What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:29-31). As far are those who are married are concerned, the emphasis is that salvation is personal. If the unbelieving wife keeps on hardening her heart, the believing husband has the obligation to press on in his walk with the Lord and not be hindered by his wife. He should persevere and live his life as if he is not married, since his own salvation hinges on his own personal decisions and actions and not on the actions or decisions of his wife. Also, those who mourn should not waste their time lamenting on what happened in the past, while those who are happy should not wallow in it, for reality will soon set in. Furthermore, those who have valuable possessions should not be possessed by them, for they will soon be gone. No possession is of any value to someone who is on his sickbed. All that matters, then, is the salvation of his soul. Whether he will be saved or not depends on how he spent the time that was given to him here on earth.
Therefore, the apostle Paul admonished believers, saying, “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:11-14). We are running out of time. We cannot afford to squander our time. Let us not devote our time in enriching ourselves with the riches of this world. We need to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Indeed, Jesus is coming soon; will he find faith in us when he comes?
Since there is a need for us to redeem the time, when is the best time to respond to the call of God to be saved? The Lord said, “In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). Today is the best time. To delay it for tomorrow is procrastination. It is imperative that we understand that our salvation is dependent on what we do today and not on the things we intend to do tomorrow. Unless we plant our seed now, there is no harvest tomorrow. Therefore, let us not waste our time and squander the opportunity to be saved. We cannot turn the clock backwards—once the time is gone, it is gone. Yes, let us not allow harvest to pass and summer to end without us being saved. Hallelujah!
