Title: 13
Author: JBG
Last saved by: Preferred Customer
Company: Auth CO

© 2000  Joe Griffin

00-10-03.JSH-385 /

The Inscrutable Question: Time Management Options: Comparison of Redeeming Time vs. Flouting Time, Eph 5:16a
	22)	However, when we are born we are born into spiritual death.  The time allotted to us is in slavery and we are not free to use it for its intended purpose.
	23)	Slaves could be freed from the slave market by the paying of a price agreed to with the slave master.
	24)	Our redemption from the slave market of sin is illustrated by the concept of being bought out by the coin of the realm for our salvation, the work of Christ on the cross.
	25)	God required that our sins, which placed us in the slave market, be judged in the uniquely qualified substitute, Jesus Christ.
	26)	Being set free we are able to use our free will to walk out of the slave market through faith in Christ.
	27)	At physical birth the time that is allotted to each individual is, in effect, in slavery and if it is to be used in preparation for eternity it must be redeemed.  
28)	The first act of redemption of time occurs at the moment of salvation.  This places us under the filling of the Holy Spirit into status quo spirituality.
29)	Whenever the new believer’s first post-salvation sin occurs he enters into status quo carnality and begins a period of flouting time and thus losing, minute-by-minute, the time allotted to him.
30)	Time, as we have defined it, is an indefinite, continuous duration in which events succeed one another.  Webster’s Ninth defines it as a “continuum in which events succeed one another from past through present to future.”  In other words, time marches on.
31)	Where you spend that time determines the kind of fruit that is produced.
Romans 8:5 -	 For those who are in conformity with the flesh [ under the influence of the first husband, the sinful nature ] keep thinking about the things of the flesh; but those who are in conformity with the Spirit [ filling of the Holy Spirit ] keep thinking about the Spirit [ His mentorship in the double-column advance ].
v. 6 - 	Consequently, the way of thinking of the flesh [ status quo carnality under the control of the sinful nature ] is death [ carnal death ], but the way of thinking of the Spirit [ status quo spirituality ] is life and harmony [ time redeemed in the light plus harmonious rapport with God ].
v. 7 - 	Because the way of thinking of the flesh is hostile toward God [ moral & immoral degeneracy ], for it does not subordinate itself to the law of God [ no submission to the imperative moods & the problem-solving devices ].  It is not able to do so.
v. 8 -	In conclusion, they that are in the flesh [ status quo carnality ] cannot please God [ they flout time ].
32)	Consequently, it becomes apparent that redeeming time is the only way that a believer can grow in grace, make the advance to spiritual maturity, and serve God.
33)	Those who spend time in the cosmic system return to the tyranny of the first husband and are at enmity with God.  Their production is characterized as “deeds of darkness.”
34)	Some people make decisions that shorten their life, for example, they commit a capital crime, become involved in criminal activity, or behave recklessly.
35)	But God knew this in eternity past and determined the right time, place, and manner of such a believer’s death.  Each believer is allotted a certain amount of time on this earth and although volition sometimes determines the length of that allotment, it is impossible except in these obvious cases to draw any hard conclusions.
36)	The issue in the life of any believer, whether he lives a short time or a long time, is where he spends the time allotted to him: in status quo spirituality pursuing the advance or in status quo carnality pursuing degeneracy.
37)	Those who redeem time capitalize on the time allotted for spiritual growth.  Those who flout time lose the time allotted for spiritual growth.
38)	Either way, time marches on.  Some become winners and invisible heroes while others become losers and get involved in carnal death characterized by sin, human good, and evil.
39)	Those who consistently use rebound redeem their allotted time to the maximum while those who do not flout their allotted time and lose their momentum in the plan of God.
40)	All of these things are pertinent to the concept of redemption of time which is how verse 16 begins with the present middle participle of the compound Greek verb:
™xagor£zw / exagorazo / -	To purchase out from a marketplace or to buy one’s freedom out from a slave market.

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