Redeeming the Time (Part 3)

“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. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15–21, ESV)

Quick Recap on the Series

This is the third (and final) post taking about ways to redeem God’s good gift of time, based on Ephesians 5:15-21. The first post spoke about understanding the will of the Lord (v 17). The second post spoke about walking in step with the Spirit (v 18). This post will wrap things up by talking about Paul’s examples of what it looks like to walk in step with the Spirit. 

Continually Redeeming the Time

After Paul gives the command for us to be filled with the Spirit, he gives four examples of what that looks like in daily life. Each of these examples have the sense that we should be continually doing them. These are not just one-and-done actions, but regular patterns of our life. Remember, these are all given in the context of redeeming the time—using our time the way God intended it to be used. 

Addressing One Another

The first thing Paul says is that we should be continually “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (v 19). This is speaking about being in community with other believers—a community characterized by spiritual conversations. Notice that this doesn’t say, “Singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,” but “addressing one another” or “speaking to one another.” F. F. Bruce says this is painting a picture of a community that addresses “one another for mutual help and blessing in compositions already known to the community” (381). 

Encouraging one another in community is redeeming the time. 

Singing With Your Heart

The second thing Paul says is that we should be continually “singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (v 19). This paints the picture of someone who walks around with a melody in their heart all day long. There’s a sense of joy and worship to the Lord in everything they do. The song may not always be coming out of their lips (but sometimes is), but it is deep down in their heart, influencing everything they do. 

Going throughout your day with a worshipful, singing heart is redeeming the time. 

Giving Thanks Always

The third thing Paul says is that we should be continually “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v 20). As we go through our day, we are to recognize all the gifts that God pours out on us—including the gift of time—and continually give him thanks. Our entire attitude and actions should be drenched in thankfulness to God for his generosity in our lives. 

Living with a thankful spirit in everything you do is redeeming the time. 

Submitting to One Another

The final thing Paul says is that we should be continually “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (v 21). Another way to put this is that we should love our neighbors because love “does not insist on its own way” (1 Cor 13:5) and doesn’t push its own agenda. Rather, in humility, we are to “consider others more significant than ourselves” (Phil 2:4). This should characterize every aspect of our life and every aspect of our day. 

Submitting to one another in everything you do is redeeming the time.

Putting It All Together

God has given us this amazing gift of time. Sin tries to take hold of this gift and use it to bring death by causing us to live selfishly, ungratefully, whiningly, and individually. Yet, through the power of the Spirit, he is working in us so we can redeem the gift of time from the miry pit of death. We redeem the gift of time when we live with one another in encouraging community, when we joyfully sing in our heart as we work, when we live in gratefulness of God’s gifts, and when we consider others more significant than ourselves. 

That’s what it looks like to redeem the time in our everyday lives.