9 September 2020

I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, 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 possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it.
From 1 Corinthians 7: 25 – 31 (NRSV)

In this part of his letter, Paul is responding to the many detailed questions about the rules by which the new Christian community in Corinth should be living. It is understandable that they want clear cut guidance as rules around issues such as celibacy and marriage would have been different in the wider community in which they lived and were used to. Paul patiently answers their questions and seems to understand their need for clarity. However, Paul has a different mindset from those asking the questions. He is very mindful of the expected second coming of Christ which he believes to be very near. He wants the people to realise that their time to prepare for this could be very short and that the issues they are perhaps getting bogged down by are in some ways a distraction from the greater values of life in God’s kingdom. For Paul, all human relationships and interactions only matter in the ways in which they prepare us for life in God’s kingdom.

• • What does Paul mean when he advises those who deal with the world to live as if they do not?  ?
  • When do the pressures and demands of daily living prevent us from seeing the “bigger picture” ? 

Pray today for those who are weighed down with anxiety about their relationships and way of life. If there is something that is weighing on you, ask for help to see how the situation through the eyes of Christ.