Sometimes I wonder whether I’m half asleep even when I think I’m wide awake. I say that while reflecting on some words of the New Testament that seem dangerously extreme– and radically sensible.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, and in anticipation of an unnamed impending crisis, the Apostle Paul wrote, “The time is short, so that from now on even (1) those who have wives should be as though they had none, (2) those who weep as though they did not weep, (3) those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, (4) those who buy as though they did not possess, and (5) those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away” (1 Cor. 7: 26, 29-31).
Has Paul lost it? Is he saying if we are married we are to live as though we were single, that we are to deny our emotions, and not take care of our houses or property?
Or was Paul saying that in light of the shortness of our lives, we can’t afford to let anything in this world– not marriage, or sadness, or happiness, or material purchases, or anything that is passing away– come between us and our eternal God (1Cor 7:35)?
This second explanation seems to be more consistent with the rest of Paul’s letters. Seems to me that Paul would be reasoning in a manner consistent with his other writings if, sensing the shortness of time, he picks up his pen to shout, “Wake up! Open your eyes. It’s getting late. We can’t afford to give ourselves to that which will not last. Life isn’t just about how happily married or single we think we are. Our emotions are not as important as they feel!”
Such thinking might sound extreme. But there is sanity in Paul’s “madness.” He knew that a man who is more interested in pleasing the Lord than he is in pleasing his wife is a better husband than those who worship their wives.
Singles who are able to celebrate their marriage to God are more fulfilled than married people who are looking for fulfillment in one another.
A wife who is more interested in submitting to God than she is in submitting to her husband is the best friend a man could have.
Property owners, animal lovers, and investors who love God above all else are the only ones who can use this temporary world without either abusing or being possessed by it.
Father, forgive us for unintentionally forgetting the lateness of the hour. We have used the joys and complaints of our marriages or singleness as an excuse to ignore You. We have let the anger and disillusionment of broken relationships interrupt our time with You. We have allowed our wealth and our poverty, our joys and our sorrows to become more important to us than You are. Please help us to break our addiction to that which will not last.
(+41 rating, 42 votes)
Loading...