Though the fast pace of today’s society seems to characterize the present generation, the factor of time has always existed, for it is the framework which God has provided for humanity to exist.   His Word states that … “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace” (Eccl 3:1-8 NKJV).  

There are hidden treasures in this passage, reminders that the omniscient God knows all things, and is actively involved in His creation.  There is order in His governance as God is not arbitrary or capricious, for mankind lives and functions within the boundaries He has established.  It is within the divine plan for each life to respond to the knowledge of God and have a personal relationship with Him through faith in Christ.  Jesus told the crowd that was pressing Him to stay in their region … “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent” (Luke 4:43 NKJV).   Christ, God in the flesh, the Creator of all things including time, purposed to live within the parameters of the Father’s will in order to accomplish perfectly all that was necessary for man to be restored to a right standing with God.  

That righteous standing can be expressed in a moment of time through faith in Christ.  However, one’s spiritual growth is not instantaneous.  The Apostle Peter urged his audience to advance beyond the initial point of believing in Christ … “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NKJV).   Paul expressed a similar admonition … “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Col 4:5-6 NKJV).  

To fulfill these mandates Christians must know God’s thinking.  His Word declares all that God desires man to know concerning Himself.  Paul reminded Christians living in the first century that believers … “have the mind of Christ [the Scriptures]]” (1 Cor 2:16b NKJV).  Therefore, the pursuit of God’s Word must be the priority in the believer’s life.  It is only then that the Christian can realize that “man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”   

That is the reason why God has granted each of us time. How that valued commodity is used becomes the issue at the Evaluation Seat of Christ.   Any good accomplished in the energy of the flesh is in marked contrast to that which God is able to do in and through the believer.  Paul wrote … “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Cor 3:11-15 NKJV).