Last week, our guest speaker spoke on Time and how we use time because we are redeemed. Since Jesus redeemed us, we should redeem the time He has given us!
It’s quite a time in history right now, and God is looking for a people who aren’t afraid of what’s happening. They are able to grab hold of His Truth, rest in that Truth, and start to allow the Spirit of God to build their life accordingly.
We often say that Jesus is God’s greatest gift to mankind. But in truth, that gift is to those who receive Him. But the gift that God has given everyone is free will. That free will gives you the right to decide whether you’re going to serve God or you’re not, to obey Him or not.
“The gift that God has given everyone is free will.”
That gift comes with the greatest responsibility because you have the opportunity to change lives, if you’re willing to obey His Word.
“Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.'” – EPHESIANS 5:14-16 (NKJV)
One translation says, “Awake! Get up! Get out of the graveyard!” Some Christians are laying with the dead instead of walking in the light. We need to make some decisions as Christians. Remember: God didn’t force you or coerce you to be saved. Instead, HE made a vow that He will love us with an everlasting love, even while we have free will to choose to obey Him or not, serve Him or not. What a God we serve!
So in Ephesians 5:14-16, He’s telling us to walk seeing His best work done in us.
We’re on the winning team…God’s team! So why do you allow yourself to meditate on those things where the adversary has tried to bring you to your past, or keep you from seeing the possibility of your future.
People look at the word “evil” in this scripture and they have their own ideas about it. But the original Greek word there is the word ponērós. It literally means an evil that produces labor, pain, sorrow and a sense of worthlessness.
The devil has tried to inflict this evil into your life…but God has redeemed us! How? Through Jesus
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” – GALATIANS 4:4-5 (NKJV)
At the time when mankind needed help, God sent Jesus!
2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us that God listened to and heeded mankind’s call and sent salvation! The time for salvation is NOW!
And what kind of salvation has come? Look at what Jesus spoke to the people (out of Isaiah 61:1:
“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” – LUKE 4:18-19
The acceptable year of the Lord is the year (or period of time) of God’s favor! God is for us! Rejoice this Christmas and every day that your time has come!
Watch the December 12, 2021 message on which this post is based by CLICKING HERE.
