Redeeming the Time

A friend of mine recently used his Facebook status to bemoan the hordes of people who follow the likes of Ashton Kutcher and Oprah on Twitter.
I responded by noting that, while I seldom use Twitter, the folks that I follow are for the most part either personal friends or individuals who share my conservative views and/or Christian beliefs. He acknowledged that “like everything” Twitter probably has its uses, but he would “rather be in a bear trap and have to gnaw off [his] own leg than read what some of those people might be doing or writing!” (I offered hearty assent to that sentiment.)
Thinking about this topic today, I was reminded of a recent sermon I heard by Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research. Several weeks ago Stetzer filled the pulpit for Mark Driscoll at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. For those of you who don’t know, Pastor Mark is currently doing a series on the Gospel of Luke. Stetzer’s message, which you can find here, was titled “Waiting Ready: Between the Times,” and the text was Luke 12:35–48. The point of that passage, and the thrust of Stetzer’s message, can be summed up in the words of the apostle Paul:

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

You may have heard the phrase “redeem the time.” We get that phrase from verse sixteen as translated into the King James Version. The English Standard Version renders the phrase “making the best use of the time.”
Paul expands on this theme in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11:

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

So, what are you doing to redeem the time?