Redeeming the Time – Part 3
This newest series of messages on Internet Pastor is called “Redeeming the Time”. If it seems like life keeps speeding up and getting busier and you don;t know where the time is going, you will find this series helpful.
In our series on Redeeming Time we are talking about how life seems to pass so quickly because we are too busy. The question becomes, “Why are we always trying to do so much?” I believe that the problem is we keep forgetting what is really important.
Psalms 90:12 (NLT)
12 Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.
What is most important in life?
1. The most important thing in life is love
1 Corinthians 14:1 (NLT)
1 Let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives, especially the gift of prophecy.
If we don’t understand the importance of love then nothing else really matters.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Most of us don’t live like love is what matters most. We live like everything else is most important and them we try and squeeze love into our schedules.
When Jesus was asked to summarize what was most important He said:
Mark 12:28-31 (NIV)
28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
What Jesus is saying is that the most important thing is our love relationships. The point of life is our relationship with God and our relationship with other people. It isn’t about what we achieve or what we acquire. It’s about relationships. If you miss that you miss the point of life.
The problem that we have is that when we start getting overloaded we start skimming relationally. We take time away from our relationships, which are the most important thing, and we give it to things that are less important.
Two words – Stop it. I was watching a video clip of Bob Newhart as a counselor and the bit was that his advice to every issue was “Stop it”. Obviously that is not good advice in every situation. Life issues are not usually that easy to solve. But in this case, if you are investing the best part of your life in anything besides God and people, “Stop It”.
Way to many people wait till the very end of their life to realize what is important. When people are near the end do you know what they ask for? They don’t ask for their awards, trophies, and diplomas. They want their people around them.
The most important thing in life is not what we accomplish, it’s love!
2. The best way to demonstrate love is with time
1 John 3:18 (NIV)
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Time is your most precious commodity so when we give it to others we are giving them the greatest gift we have. The thing about time is you only have a certain amount of it. You can always get more money but you cannot get more time. Every time you give someone your time, you are giving them a portion of your life that you will never get back. Time is precious because your time is your life. When we give people our eyes, our ears, our words we are showing them that we love them. That they matter and have value.
The most important thing in life is love, the best way to demonstrate love is with time and…
3. The best time to do it is now
Now, not next week, not later, not when things settle down, not I will get around to it. Do it now.
Galatians 6:10 (NIV)
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Ephesians 5:15 (TLB)
15 So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.
Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
Love is the most important thing in life. Anytime you choose something else over a loving relationship you have made a bad choice. You have missed the point of life.
Why is it important to do it now? Because things change and sometimes they change quickly.
I want to make a suggestion to help you to remember that the most important thing in life is love. From now on when you wake up in the morning, make it your prayer to ask God to help you live life with love in mind. That if the only thing that you accomplish all day is that you spent some time with God and the people in your life, then it was a good day. If you go through the day without connecting with God and the people in your life then it was a wasted day no matter what else you accomplished.
The most important thing in life is love, the best way to demonstrate love is with time, and the best time to do it is now!
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