“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:5-6 ESV)
For now, time is a constant amongst us all. Each of us has 24 hours a day; yet, the accomplishment on any given date varies drastically. Paul reminds the Colossians that they need to make the best use of their time. Or, more specifically, it is important to be “redeeming the time” (KJV).
Redeeming means to “buy up; ransom; rescue from loss.”
Essentially, the Apostle is telling us that, without a conscience effort, time will slip by. It will disappear and leave us wondering just where it went. To avoid such an evaporation he says “buy it up;” that is, take the effort to grab it, look it over, and “try it on” to see if it’s the best fit for you.
Time’s tendency is to get lost, so find time to keep it from vanishing.
Of course, Paul just doesn’t want the faithful to redeem the time as an empty act, but to give opportunity to share the gospel.
“Walk in wisdom toward those outside the church,” he says. Most of the time it takes “time” to win the lost to Christ, so speak right, walk right, live right before them.
Let today be one where we take the time to show forth Him, whether it is in line at the store, or the daily grind at work, or relaxing at home.
