Articles
What Time Is It?
“What time is it?” is a common question. Looking at a clock will give you one answer; looking at the Bible will give you quite another!
It is time to wake up. “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed” (Romans 13:11). Too many are sleepwalking spiritually. Some give no consideration to spiritual matters at all. Others naively assume that things are just fine, when the truth is they are dead in their sins in which they walk (Ephesians 2:1-2). This verse in Romans, however, is addressed to Christians. Some of us need a wake-up call, too, to be roused from indifference and get serious about serving God.
It is time to live for God’s will. “. . . Live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2). Again, this is addressed to Christians. We need to once and for all abandon lustful conduct. “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries” (v. 4). It is time to quit dabbling in devilment and grab hold of godliness.
It is time to conduct yourself in fear. “If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourself in fear during the time of your stay on earth” (1 Peter 1:17). While the Bible speaks of having confidence before God, it also reminds us to maintain a healthy fear of Him. Fear of displeasing God will motivate us to live as He directs. That fear will also help us maintain proper reverence in worship as we draw near to Him. “. . . Let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 10:28-29).
It is time to pray. “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Luke 18:1). It is always time to pray: to praise God, to give thanks, to seek wisdom, to gain strength, to intercede for others, to find forgiveness, to rid yourself of worry, and to grow closer to God.
It is time to teach. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers . . .” (Hebrews 5:12). Our children need to be taught all about spiritual things. A lost world needs to be taught the gospel. Those young in the faith need to be taught the whole counsel of God. Sadly, some who ought to be teachers “have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God . . .”
It is time to use our opportunities. “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Too often we wait for the elusive “perfect time” to act. It rarely comes. The sure opportunities are the ones we have now. Let’s get busy and make the best use of them we can. They may be better than we envision!
“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain—for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).
