⬇ EPUB

REDEEMING THE TIME

I felt tested by these scriptures as they came to me, beloved brethren, and I feel tested in saying something as to them, but I thought a word of encouragement would be a help for all of us. It is a wonderful thing that God has given to us those with whom we can walk and enjoy happy times together. But I was especially impressed in these scriptures that everything is related to Jehovah, everything is related to Christ. It is not about enjoying what is natural, because men in the world can enjoy what is natural. What I was impressed with is what is here in the saints, what is in each one of us for the glory of divine Persons.

This verse in Malachi came to me because it begins with the way in which “they that feared Jehovah spoke often one to another”. Beloved brethren, I feel tested by this in the times in which we are. I feel the need to be able to speak together. Are we able to communicate with one another? Are we able to share with one another? And then, what do we talk about? Are we speaking about the One who is so precious to us and are we sharing the things that belong to Him, or are we talking about the things that belong to us? I do not want to be misunderstood or to be critical; rather what I would like to do is to bring before us what this scripture brings out. Malachi is so helpful in that way. We know that this refers to the remnant time, and it comes very close to us in the days in which we are, the closing days when things are in ruin and there is much departure and sorrow and sadness. The Lord Jesus knows all about it, He is able for that. He would say to me ‘Will you go on, will you commit yourself? Will you take things on yourself?’. Or will I be complacent and say ‘It is not up to me to fix this problem, I just have to make the best of it’. Beloved, we have to get to the Spirit who has been given to us to overcome that kind of thinking. I trust that, by the Spirit, each one of us would go in for the things of Christ, and realise that the world itself is opposed to Christ and always has been and that is why He died to the world. How important it is to get that into our souls and into our affections – to consider that the Lord Jesus is not part of this world but that He has died to it, He has died out of it. He has established another world that we might have part in. That is what these persons in Malachi’s time were speaking about. There was no doubt that the departure would have been prominent in their minds. They would have felt it; in principle they would feel it in relation to Christ.

So it says here, “and Jehovah observed it”. They were speaking together, and how wonderful it is that we can have these times together. But what about when we are together in our homes, what about when we meet one another? Is it not a privilege to be able to speak about Christ? I find it very attractive when a brother comes up to me and speaks about Christ. No matter what is going on during the day, you cannot help but be lifted up in your soul because it lifts your vision and your outlook above the world. It says that “Jehovah observed it, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written”. It is not a book of honour, it is a book of remembrance. Think of Jehovah taking account of every movement. Do we recognise that and do we treasure it? The God who has purchased us with the blood of His own has a book of remembrance and He takes account of what we do.

I felt that these verses in Ephesians tied in with the section in Malachi. The apostle begins by writing “See therefore how ye walk carefully, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time”. There is much that is unwise, and I do not think that we have to go very far to know what that is. What a privilege it is to be a part of what is wise, so that we might redeem the time. When I have time on my own, or to speak with the brethren, what do I find myself speaking about? Is it things that are unwise or is it things that are wise? I say that as an encouragement to the brethren, because it is a privilege to treasure what God has given us in His Son, and what He has given us in the saints. What does it mean, redeeming the time? We often say how fast the time goes, and those of us who are a little older can say that in a greater way; it seems as if the time goes faster as you get older. So what are we doing to redeem the time? What are we doing to treasure it? I can tell you, dear young person, and every older brother would agree with me, that the habits that you form when you are younger will remain with you when you are older. There is much to distract our attention and rob us of our time, but reading the word of God, praying and meditating on these things – as we make these things our own, as we treasure them and they form us, we will have a greater appreciation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is that not really what God is seeking? He is seeking honour for His Son, and a response for Himself. God would appeal to us about the way in which we redeem the time and move in a way that is wise.

Then Paul goes on to say “because the days are evil”. The older brothers and sisters here realise that the days are evil. The judgment of the world is still the same in relation the Lord Jesus, and it is still the same in my own heart if it is not judged. “Away with this man” (Luke 23:18); “We will not that this man should reign over us”, Luke 19:14. What an attitude to have! But I am especially concerned that if I do not continue speaking to one and another “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs”, it leads to my considering only for myself and then I will be part of the days that are evil. I would not want that for myself or for anyone here. I trust that we are encouraged in what is here, and that we turn to Him who is wisdom.

I especially enjoyed that section, “but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and chanting with your hearts to the Lord; giving thanks at all times for all things”. It is as though the apostle cannot help himself, it is an overflow. He starts thinking about the dear brethren and the things that they can have part in together in relation to divine counsel and purpose, and he just overflows and continues “for all things to him who is God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Then he says “submitting yourselves to one another”. I find that a challenge. I think it is what took place where we read in Malachi in speaking often one to another. Am I willing to listen, to submit myself to a brother because I want to see the work of Christ coming out in him? Do I allow time for that, or am I so occupied with my own enjoyment – and it may even be my own enjoyment of Christ – that I do not allow for that? I think that submitting to one another would allow for that, and so the work of Christ is able to shine forth. How wonderful that we can appreciate what is in one another “in the fear of Christ”. Christ is always the Standard. It is wonderful when I can take account of that in my brother and submit to him. I recognise that Christ is the Standard, and I see Christ in the saints.

May these few words be an encouragement to us as we consider the wonderful privilege of enjoying fellowship together. But let us not forget what this fellowship is about. It is Christ who is the common bond amongst us. May we appreciate that and go in for it, for His name’s sake.

Word in meeting for ministry, Aberdeen ID

29 April 2015

D. Klassen

← Previous 3 of 9 Next →