Colossians 4:5-6 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.… I. THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME. This may be inferred from the names given it in Scripture — "The day of salvation," "The acceptable year of the Lord," "An appointed time." It is the season in which alone the business of religion can be transacted. Those advise badly who say "there is time enough yet," for who knows what a day may bring forth. It may be longer or shorter, but the day of salvation, like any other, is limited, and must soon come to an end. II. THE RAPIDITY OF THE FLIGHT OF TIME. "Time and tide wait for no man." The little we have on hand is all we have, and even this short space is hurrying on so fast that to catch it is like dipping your hand in a running stream which glides through the fingers that would detain it. The Egyptians represented it as a serpent creeping on silently and gliding away imperceptibly. And yet there are those who act as though it had no assignable limit. III. THE LARGE PORTION OF OUR TIME LOST. The season of boyhood — much of which was wasted in indolence; the season of youth — much of which was simply dissipated; the season of riper years — how much of that is being lost in the pursuit of shadows. Some misspend time because they have no proper object to engage their attention. How many fashionable people there are who are quite at a loss what to make of themselves. Others lose much time in mere delays and in expecting what will never come. IV. THE BEST MEANS OF REDEEMING IT. 1. Misspend no more. Treasure up scraps of time. He who is prodigal of a minute spends far above his estate. 2. Rise early. 3. Husband your time well during the day. (T. Watson, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.WEB: Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. |
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