SOUNDING OUT:
NOW
“NOW” is a simple three-letter
word which relates to time, implies immediacy, requires
a decision, and can influence the future. As far as
time is concerned, now is all we have. “Now”
is present tense; yesterday is past and tomorrow is
yet to be. “Now” not only concerns us in
everyday life, but is an important word in our relationship
to God. It is a word used frequently in the Bible and
should not be ignored. (It occurs 1356 times in the
KJV) “Now” presumes, assumes, alludes to,
or hints at the danger of delay.
Justification Is NOW:
"Much more then, being now justified by His blood
. . ." Romans 5:9
Righteousness Is NOW:
“But now the righteousness of God without the law
is manifested. . .” Romans 3:21
Freedom From Condemnation Is NOW:
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which
are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1.
Freedom From Sin Is NOW:
“But now being made free from sin . . .” Romans
6:22
Sonship Is NOW:
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God . . .”
I John 3:2 (LB).
We live our lives one
day at a time. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow never comes.
Today is the only day we have, to be saved by the grace
of God. We must make full use of our time each day.
We are told to “redeem the time.”
Ephesians 5:15,16:
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools,
but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time,
because the days are evil.
We must rule our lives by choice not
chance.
Colossians 4:5,6:
Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming
the time.
6 Let your speech be alway
with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how
ye ought to answer every man.
“The time,”
refers to the time at our disposal; our time, in other
words. The concept behind this idiom, redeeming the
time, is that we are to "redeem or buy up all the
time we can." What price do we pay for it? We pay
for it in effort and diligence and action. We are to
make full use of our time, to use our time to full advantage.
This involves being wise, and not being foolish. We
must make good use of our time in preparing ourselves
to explain our faith in a seasoned manner.
Our minutes, hours, days, and years are gifts from God.
One day we will give account for how we used this valuable
treasure: whether we used our time for good or ill;
whether we used our time for selfish, self-centered
purposes or to honor God and serve our fellow man; whether
we used our time to build up or to tear down; whether
we accomplished something or wasted our time on earth.
You can wait to spend your money, but you cannot wait
to spend your time. Time is passing by. Its proper use
requires constant attention.
Psalm 118:24:
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice
and be glad in it.
Actually Satan is well-pleased
to have the souls of men and women bound one day at
a time. Many people intend to become Christians... some
day... just not today. Many people intend to do great
things for God... some day... just not today. Several
people in the Bible intended to get saved someday and
yet, that someday never came.
Felix the Governor in Acts 24 heard the testimony of
Paul and said he would call for him later. However,
after two years Felix still had not called for Paul.
There is no evidence that he ever got saved.
Acts 24:24-28:
And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife
Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and
heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned
of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,
Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this
time; when I have a convenient season, I will call
for thee.
26 He hoped also that
money should have been given him of Paul, that he
might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener,
and communed with him.
27 But after two years
Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing
to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Agrippa the
King heard the testimony of Paul and was invited to become
a Christian in Acts 26, but Agrippa said unto Paul in
Acts 26:28, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
In Luke 12:16-34 Jesus gives the parable of the rich fool.
He had everything his heart could desire and wanted more.
Yet in verse 20 God said unto him, “Thou fool, this
night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall
those things be, which thou hast provided?"
Hebrews 2:1-4:
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to
the things which we have heard, lest at any time we
should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken
by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
3 How shall we escape,
if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first
began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed
unto us by them that heard him;
4 God also bearing them
witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers
miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to
his own will?
Proverbs 27:1:
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not
what a day may bring forth.
James 4:13,14:
Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will
go into such a city, and continue there a year, and
buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what
shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is
even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and
then vanisheth away.
God’s Word is the
Eternal NOW. Cultivating a sense of the urgency of the
times will allow us to reap benefits both now and throughout
eternity.
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