January 1, 2010

Welcome to the second decade of the twenty-first century! Much has changed over the past two millenniums, yet Jesus’ life, death and resurrection still have changed all time. The church recognized this truth and began to mark time from his birth. The current system for marking years from Jesus’ birth was devised in 525 by Dionysius Exiguusut. Although most scholars believe that his original calculations were of by six years, the intent to show that all time was changed by Christ is still understood by all Christians.

Today, however, in an effort to be sensitive to non-Christians scholars in the Western world have begun to use the abbreviation CE (common era) following the year instead of AD (Anno Domini ‘In the year of Our Lord’”). While the Gregorian calendar is the defacto global standard recognized by the United Nations. Ours is not the only system for marking time.

Today, January 1, 2010 is the 15th of the month Tevet in the year 5770 according to the Jewish calendar, and 15th of the month Ashura in the year 1431 as kept by the Islamic calendar.

In the New Testament there are two words used for marking time. The most common word for time in the Greek NT is “kronos” from which our English word “chronology” is derived. It is most closely aligned with our concept of calendar time. The other word for time which is used less frequently has great spiritual significance. The Greek word “kairos” means “the appointed time in the purpose of God,” the time when God acts. It is used in the following texts and is the subject of today’s devotion .

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— 3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. 12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. 13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. 2 Corinthians 5:17-6:13

17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. 1 Peter 4:17-19

As American Christians we place great significance in celebrating New Year’s Day and making New Year resolutions. Most often we do this from a “kronos” understanding of time. I want to challenge you instead to consider each day of each year from a “kairos” understanding of time. If every Christian viewed each day as “the time when God acts” our lives would be lived with a greater sense of urgency. These texts teach us that each day is the acceptable time for salvation and that judgment will be severe even for the saved. Therefore each of us who are saved should be living our lives with a great sense of urgency as Christ’s ambassador so that when all time is at an end we and as many people as possible will be prepared to meet our Lord.