PUTTING ON CHRIST "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." (Romans 13:11-14, NKJV) Devotion 10 of 33 " . . . do this, knowing the time." – Tomorrow:
Other versions read, "And do this, understanding the present time" (NIV), "Besides this you know what time it is" (NRSV), "Besides this you know what hour it is" (RSV), "And this, knowing the season" (ASV), "Another reason for living right is that you know how late it is" (NLT), and "Besides, you know the time has come" (NJB ).
You can see from these various renderings of the text that a certain spiritual awareness is taken for granted. He does not say you OUGHT to know the time, but that we know, or are aware, of it. Maybe that awareness is beneath the rubble of cares and distractions, but the Spirit is moving Paul to bring it up to the surface of thought. From the standpoint of a segment of history, it is "the time." Seen as an appropriate period, when certain benefits can be reaped by the soul, it is "the season." Viewed as a time we must not allow to pass us by, it is "the hour." Considered as a Divine appointment, "the time has come." HOWEVER YOU VIEW IT, THERE IS A TIME WHEN ACTION IS IMPERATIVE AND DELAY IS TRANSGRESSION!
Of old time, the "children of Issachar" distinguished themselves by having an understanding of the times. That realization enabled them to know what ought to be done. There were two hundred chiefs among them, and here is what is said of them. "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE TIMES, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment" (1 Chronicles 12:32). Now the Holy Spirit addresses the body of Christ, infinitely more in number than the children of Issachar. He tells them they also know the times, and that it is apparent to them what is to be done.
GOD IS ASSOCIATED WITH TIMES
Throughout history, God has hinged His dealings with men upon appropriate times, or periods. There came a time for Noah to build an ark (Heb 11:7). There also came a time when he had to enter into the ark (Gen 7:1). The time came when Abraham had to leave Ur, and begin a journey to the promised land (Gen 12:1-3). A time arrived when Moses had to confront Pharaoh, demanding that he release the people of God (Ex 7:1-2). The time came when the Israelites had to leave Egypt (Ex 12:51). Again, the time came when they were to enter into Canaan (Josh 1:2). In God's time, the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, came on the scene (John 1:6-7). In "the fulness of time," Jesus was "made of a woman, made under the Law" (Gal 4:4). Even the day of Pentecost is said to have "fully come" (Acts 2:1). A time has been appointed when the Lord will return (Matt 24:36). The day of judgment is set for a certain time (Acts 17:31). God has always worked within "times" and "seasons" which are in His power, and are used at His discretion (Acts 1:7).
However, the point of our text is KNOWING the time: i.e., being aware of the period in which we are living. The men of Issachar distinguished themselves as "men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chron 12:32). By way of contrast, Jesus rebuked His generation for being ignorant of "the times." "When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" (Matt 16:2-3). He speaks in precisely the same manner His church today! For those in Christ to be ignorant of the times is inexcusable and intolerable!
When Jesus came "in the likeness of sinful flesh" (Rom 8:3), there were those who, cognizant of the times, "looked for redemption in Jerusalem" (Lk 2:38). There were others who were "in a state of expectation and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he might be the Christ" (Lk 3:15, NASB). They sensed the times! That is why the multitudes flocked out to hear John, and why many came to hear Jesus.
Some have been taught that we can have no real knowledge of the times – that God does not precede epochs with indicators that can be read by sensitive hearts. This word, however, did not come from God, and is at a variance with the entire revelation of God. Daniel "understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem." He was able to decipher the times, and thus set his "face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes" (Dan 9:1-2). The book of Hebrews was written to people who were informed sufficient time has elapsed for them to have grown up in Christ and obtain mature understanding (Heb 5:21). Peter reminded the saints, "the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God" (1 Pet 4:17).
The Spirit of God will now call us into account for knowing the time in which we are living. These times call for a certain manner of life, and forbid indifferent and spiritually undisciplined living. The times in which we live require certain conduct, and make other manners of living wrong. For example, in this day of salvation it is right to seek the things that are above, and it is wrong not to seek them. It is right to grow up into Christ in all things, and it is wrong not to do so.
We are to be able to assess where we are, and how to respond appropriately to things confronting us, knowing the Lord is in them. It is not acceptable to remain ignorant of the Divinely orchestrated circumstances that surround us. To have been given "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Pet 1:3), and to live as though they did not exist is wrong. To be given "exceeding great and precious promises" (2 Pet 1:4), and not to pursue them, is wrong. To have access to God, yet fail to draw near to Him, is wrong (Eph 2:18; Heb 10:22).
If God Himself is driven by His own agenda, it is certainly out of order for us to be indifferent to be, while being motivated by the temporal agendas of this world – whether they are our own, or those established by our peers. Our knowledge of the times is not to be academic but insightful and compelling.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I know there are things You require of me that demand I know the times. In Jesus' name, help me to see these times with clarity and understanding.