Our Limited Time

Text: Ephesians 5:15-17   IBCWPM   January 28, 2004

Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar

 

       In the book of Job Chapter 14:1, Job once said, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”  This verse from the Scriptures reminds us of the shortness of life and the inescapable presence of trouble in every man’s earthly life. Certainly, we have a limited life within a limited time. We realize that precious moments come on our lives with a limited time and then we just count them a memorable part of our past. Our limited time is very precious indeed!

 

       Any man who intelligently ponders his unique existence will eventually conclude that his life is a wonderful gift from God. As he goes deeper in his self-exploration, he will become conscious of the limited time he has. Awareness of this will stir his mind to look for a better and meaningful life. He then asks questions to himself what he is living for and where he is heading to. These life-changing questions will surely lead him to ask others’ opinion concerning life and the true purpose of life. Meeting the right person will lead him to God and coming to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will entirely change his life from vanity to a well-lived life.

 

       Every Christian must be guided through the Word of God that he may understand the value and joy of Christian living. Many professing believers seem to have boring and unfruitful lives because of lack of interest and ignorance of the Word of God. Apostle Paul, through his Epistle, warned the Ephesians not to walk in vanity but rather to be followers of God as dear children. In Ephesians 4:17-18 Paul wrote, This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. What a caring warning to the believers in Ephesus. We firmly believe that this warning is also the kind of warning we need today.

 

       A careful and prayerful study of Ephesians Chapter 5 will surely enlighten our minds concerning new life in Christ and the significance of the remaining years of our earthly life as we serve Him in a very limited time. 

 

         (I) Must Not Be Spent In

              Foolishness

             Ephesians 5:15

 

            -Living in foolishness is living in

              vanity

            -Living in vanity is defamation

             toward the true purpose of life

            -Careless living is an expression

             of one’s unappreciative attitude

             toward God-given life and time

 

       Every Christian must guard himself from foolishness and vanity of life. We are bought with a price, therefore, we are not of our own, but servants of righteousness. We became children of God through faith in Christ. We should not underestimate the worth of our being, but rather live according to the blessed plan of God. A well-lived life and a well-managed time are special ways of showing our gratitude to God for giving us wonderful existence and great opportunity to serve Him while we have our beings.   

 

       (II) Must Be Well-treasured

             Ephesians 5:16

 

            -How we value time reveals our

              interest in attaining success

            -How we treasure time uncovers

             our view concerning life

            -How we manage our time

             exposes our true character      

 

 

       A well-treasured life is surely a well-guarded life. How we value our limited time will give us a glimpse of our future life, and how we respond to opportunities will reveal our desire and attitude toward success. Challenge is an invitation to success, but our courage toward challenges of life will determine the kind of success we will have in the future. As we grow in faith, may we grow also in knowledge, understanding and wisdom.. Knowing the value of life will lead us to wider understanding of our precious and limited time, and from these godly principles, we can fully appreciate the God-given opportunity to display with wisdom the blessed purpose of our lives.  

 

       (III)  Must Be Well-lived

               Ephesians 5:17

 

              -Understanding the purpose of

              our God-given life is the key to a

               well-lived life

              -A well-lived life is a life spent in

               the center of God’s will

              -A well-lived life is a life filled with

                joy and fulfilment

              -A well-lived life gives glory to

               God

               Colossians 3:23-25

 

       A well-lived life today will become a well-loved story of tomorrow. Spending the remaining years of our lives through serving the Lord is very delightful to the Him. What a blessing to the next generation if we are committed and determined to use our God-given life wisely within a very limited time. In just a few moments, we will leave our earthen vessels, but our living testimonies will stay from generation to generation as an inspiration to be looked up for the glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.