From Part 7 of Baxter’s Christian Directory. Chapter 5: Directions for Redeeming or well improving Time. Direction 4
Introduction
Think deeply about how sorrowful it will be to look back on wasted time, and how much you will wish you had used it wisely once it is gone. Do you find any comfort now in remembering the hours you squandered? I will not insult your understanding by questioning whether you know you will die, but I must ask: at your dying hour, will it bring you any comfort to recall how you spent your pastimes?
Wouldn’t you prefer to remember hours spent in prayer, studying God’s Word, doing good for others, and preparing your soul for eternity, rather than hours lost in idleness, frivolous entertainment, or indulging fleshly desires? Your conscience already knows the answer. If you were to die tomorrow, how would you spend today? Would you pass it in idleness and vanity, or in a holy walk with God and preparation for eternity?
Imagine death finding you in a playhouse, a gaming hall, or a tavern - would that bring peace to your conscience? Wouldn’t you instead wish to be found in prayer, obedience, and diligent work done for God’s glory? Labor in your calling is not sinful, and your conscience would not trouble you for doing it faithfully. But it would grieve you if death found you wasting time in sin or foolish pursuits. At the end of life, you will not regret time spent in honest labor or godly devotion. But if you understand the weight of eternity, you will wish you had never wasted a single moment or indulged in temptations that led you astray.
Spend your time as you would wish to review it at the end of your life. (Richard Baxter)
Living Today with Eternity in Mind
Richard Baxter urges us to live each day with the awareness of eternity. The wasted hours we look back on with regret hold no comfort, while time spent pursuing God and serving others fills the heart with peace. Imagine standing at the threshold of death, reflecting on how you’ve used the days and hours entrusted to you. Would you find joy in remembering moments spent in prayer, study, and kindness? Or would your conscience grieve over countless hours lost to idleness, indulgence, and trivial pleasures?
Baxter’s questions cut to the heart of our priorities. If we knew death were imminent, our use of time would reflect its urgency. James 4:14 reminds us, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” Every moment we waste strengthens the grip of regret. Yet every moment we redeem for God deepens our communion with him and prepares us for the life to come.
Avoiding Regret Through Purposeful Living
The imagery of being found by death in a place of idleness or sin should awaken us to the need for purposeful living. Baxter warns against the soul’s natural tendency to drift into distractions and worldly pleasures, which offer fleeting satisfaction but leave us spiritually impoverished. Instead, he calls us to labor faithfully in our calling and devote time to prayer, Scripture, and acts of service - activities that bring joy not only in the moment but in their lasting impact on our souls and others.
In Colossians 3:2, Paul exhorts us to “set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Baxter echoes this sentiment, encouraging us to spend our days in ways we wouldn’t fear to review at life’s end. Whether in labor, worship, or rest, let our lives be marked by godliness and gratitude, ensuring that when the final accounting comes, our hearts are filled with peace and not regret.
Key Principles
Reflecting on time spent in idleness or sin produces grief and regret, especially when facing eternity (James 4:14).
Hours spent in prayer, study, service, and obedience prepare the soul for eternity and offer comfort in reflection (Colossians 3:2).
Use each moment as though you will account for it before God, ensuring your life reflects his glory and purpose (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Bible Study Questions
In James 4:14, life is described as a mist. How does this truth challenge you to spend your time in ways that honor God?
Colossians 3:2 urges us to focus on heavenly things. What practical steps can you take to shift your focus from temporary distractions to eternal priorities?
Reflecting on Psalm 90:12, which asks God to “teach us to number our days,” how does this perspective shape your daily habits and choices?
In 2 Corinthians 5:10, Paul says we will all appear before Christ to give an account of our lives. How does this motivate you to live faithfully today?
How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:19-21 about storing up treasures in heaven influence your decisions about how to use your time?
Reflecting on John 17:4, in which Jesus declares he glorified the Father by completing his work, how can you align your daily tasks with God’s purposes?
Philippians 1:21 states, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” How can this attitude transform how you approach each day?
In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Paul reflects on finishing his race and keeping the faith. What would it mean for you to live a life that prepares for such a testimony?
Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to run with endurance, casting aside every hindrance. What specific hindrances do you need to lay aside to focus on God’s call?
In Proverbs 27:1, we’re reminded not to boast about tomorrow. How does living with the awareness of life’s brevity impact your priorities?
Isaiah 38:3 shows Hezekiah reflecting on his faithful walk with God. How can cultivating a heart of faithfulness give you peace when looking back on your life?
Ephesians 5:15-16 urges believers to “look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time.” What steps can you take to redeem your time more intentionally?
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
How does thinking about your final reflection on life motivate you to live differently now?
What are some specific ways you’ve wasted time that you regret, and how can you change that moving forward?
How do you balance the demands of daily work with time spent in spiritual disciplines like prayer and Scripture study?
What earthly pleasures or distractions tend to draw you away from God, and how can you guard against them?
How can the assurance of God’s grace help you avoid falling into despair over wasted time?
What practices or habits help you focus on eternity in the midst of daily busyness?
How does Christian fellowship encourage you to stay accountable in how you use your time?
Have you ever experienced the joy of reflecting on time well spent for God’s glory? How did it strengthen your faith?
What role does gratitude play in how you approach your work, rest, and worship?
How can you encourage others to live with an eternal perspective in how they use their time?
Action Steps
Set aside time this week to prayerfully reflect on how you’ve used your time recently, asking God to reveal areas where you need to improve.
Commit to eliminating one specific time-wasting habit and replacing it with a meaningful spiritual practice, such as Scripture study or prayer.
Share your reflections with a trusted friend or accountability partner, inviting them to encourage you in pursuing eternal priorities.
Closing Prayer
O merciful and eternal God, we humbly confess the ways we’ve wasted the precious time you have entrusted to us. Teach us, by your Spirit, to number our days, that we may live with wisdom and purpose. Awaken us to the fleeting nature of life and the eternal value of each moment redeemed for your glory.
Grant us hearts devoted to your service, diligent in prayer, study, and love for others. Help us to lay aside the distractions of this world and focus on the joy of living in obedience to your will. When the time comes for us to give an account, may we look back with peace, knowing we have labored faithfully for you.
We thank you for your grace, which redeems even the moments we’ve wasted. Strengthen us to live with gratitude, hope, and a steadfast desire to glorify you. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we pray. Amen. (Richard Baxter)
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