"WHAT TIME IS IT?"

By Jay Pearson

What time is it? This is a question asked and often answered in a shallow reach of time. That is an appropriate rendering of time since the one questioning was undoubtingly looking for such an answer. There is a far more reaching answer to such a question. I think of Jesus’ focus recorded in Hebrews.

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus was looking to a far more distant time other than the current rendering of the sundial of that day. For the joy set before him his focus was an eternal length of time.

What time is it?

Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

I don’t know when I first believed. I can remember sitting up against my mother in Liberty Christian Church while she sang the hymns in that low beautiful voice. Hers is the only voice I hear in that memory. I think I might have been six years old at the time. I can also remember at the age of seven, slipping off from my family and crossing the pasture back of our house to a pond up in the woods. I went there to pray and mourn the passing of my dog Jingles. I had heard the shot that killed him and I needed to be alone with God. Across the cornfield behind our house my brother drew a bead on a rabbit pulled the trigger on his shotgun. Jingles jumped from an adjacent bush into the line of fire. I heard the shot and the yelp from the front porch of our house. Some way I don’t know how I knew but I didn’t wait for the news. I immediately left for the pond and a talk with the Lord. I guess the point is I was communicating with God over sixty-five years ago. That is a long time of second guessing, mostly sitting and not walking.

What time is it?

Romans 13:10-14
10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

It’s a message for us all. What time is it?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

I could definitely use my time more wisely and I’m sure we all could, but let’s not choose to waste it on what could have been.

Philippians 3:13-15
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

What time is it?

Ephesians 5:14-16
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Romans 6:4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

What time is it?

Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Let’s not waste any more time in slumber, regrets, or prolonged sorrow. Let’s use our hearts and legs to walk in wisdom redeeming the time we have left.

Colossians 4:5-6
5 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.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

What time is it?

1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

What time is it?

 

---

Presented July 16, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana