Paul makes
the most puzzling statement in 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 (ESV),
29 This is what I mean,
brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,
30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those
who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they
had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they
had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. [Emphasis Mine]
We have worked to provide the context and the meaning of
this passage in three previous Blogs (1, 2, and 3.) I have written that the underlying ethic that
Paul is teaching is that "we [are to] live as God’s people: already, but not yet; or to put it in
the order of Paul’s poetic impression: Those
that are here on earth, live as if they aren’t." "Hypothetically, our devotion to Christ
ought to be so intense and pure that our spouses question whether or not we
indeed love them at all! Practically
speaking though this would never occur.
The truth is that if we indeed love Christ as we ought, our love for our
spouses and family will increase and intensify in direct proportion."
Let's apply this then.
How do married and single people live with this ethic in mind? But first why?
For the present form
of this world is passing away.
“This ethic
is based on the assurance that “the form of this world is passing away” (cf. 1
John 2:17, “the world is passing away”; 2 Pet. 3:10; 4 Ezra [2 Esdr.] 4:26).
The present tense of the verb παράγει (paragei) suggests that the process of
this passing away has already begun and is not something that awaits in the
future.”[1]
This view verifies and amplifies the opening phrase: “This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed
time has grown very short”.
As relating to marriage “Christians must be mindful that marriage is a transient arrangement and
not ultimate . . . The relationship with the Lord, by contrast, survives death.
Moffatt (1938: 93) comments that this mandate “is a passionate, heroic reminder
that the Christian life must never be identified with even the nearest and
dearest of worldly experiences, however legitimate and appealing they may be.”[2]
“Nothing in
this physical world seen and experienced by our physical senses has any
enduring character—including marriages, weepings, rejoicings, possessions, and
business opportunities. The fabric of life is just that, a fabric, frayed and
flimsy, and nothing eternal.”[3]
Clearly the
principle that Paul is alluding to is one he shared later with these
Corinthians: “as we
look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the
things that are seen are transient, but the things that
are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18, ESV)
APPLICATION
How does one live this out in marriage? What does it practically mean, therefore, to
be married but to live as one isn’t? How
do we live out our marital commitments with an eternal perspective? Here are some thoughts to consider:
a)
When we live life with eternity in view, little
choices become very, very important.
The little words and the little deeds – all add up to eternal blessing.
b)
When we live life with eternity in view of
someday standing before our Savior, we recognize that even the little unnoticed
acts of Christian love and faithfulness will not go unnoticed.
c)
Living with eternity in mind will give us
perseverance and joy that can help us in the most difficult situations. Moses stayed faithful to God because “he was
looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26).”
d)
Living with eternity in mind reminds us that
your soul, the soul of your spouse (if you are married) and the soul of your
children are far more important than any earthly pursuit.
e)
Living with eternity in mind tells us that
"the sufferings of this life (albeit an unfulfilled passion to marry;
albeit a unfulfilled marriage; albeit a great marriage in a wicked world; etc.)
cannot be compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us." (Romans
8:18).
The best marriage in
the world is only a spark compared to glory in knowing Jesus Christ as your
Lord and Savior. “Indeed, I count
everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my
Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as
rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8, ESV)
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