A Greater Purpose
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:29-32
"29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life."
Observations:
Paul turns his attention to the subject of how Christians are to handle marriage in a godly manner. But when you read his instructions you kind of get the impression that maybe Paul is anti-marriage or somehow thinks that those who do get married will somehow be less effective as Christians or are somehow inferior to those who are single and can serve the Lord more successfully. But really, Paul is not slighting marriage here. But he is addressing a serious matter of crisis. The church in Corinth was struggling with the very real threat of rampant sexual immorality in the surrounding culture. As an extreme reaction to situation (which was necessary at the time) Paul advised those who were already married to stay committed to their marriage and those who were single to either stay single (in order to avoid temptation) or to get married (also to avoid temptation). He caps off his instructions with a summary thought: whatever your status (married or single), nothing in this life, be it marriage, possessions, joys, or sorrows, should ever become an end in and of itself. In light of the fact that this world is only temporary and is quickly passing away, followers of Christ should not allow themselves to get so wrapped up in this present life that they lose focus on what's most important.
Application:
It's real easy get distracted by the day to day goings of life, work, family, and the rigorous schedule those things generate. We often find ourselves looking back and wondering, "where did the time go?" Fact is, time is running out for all of us. Moment by moment it is slipping away at a steady pace. All of us are either spending that time or investing it. Spent time quickly disappears with little or nothing to show for it, but invested time always produces a return. As believers God has called us to "redeem the time" (Ephesians 5:16). We can't afford to "waste" the time and opportunities God has given us each and every day to do something that will matter in eternity. It's sobering to stop and think about how much of our lives is spent doing things that have little or no eternal value. Not that many of those things don't matter- I bet many of them do. But the challenge for us though is that we hold those things loosely and not allow them to compete with God's greatest purpose for our lives.
Prayer:
Father, help us in the busyness of life not to allow things to steal of focus or affections. Keep our eyes adjusted to the light of Your eternal purpose in everything we do. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
"29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life."
Observations:
Paul turns his attention to the subject of how Christians are to handle marriage in a godly manner. But when you read his instructions you kind of get the impression that maybe Paul is anti-marriage or somehow thinks that those who do get married will somehow be less effective as Christians or are somehow inferior to those who are single and can serve the Lord more successfully. But really, Paul is not slighting marriage here. But he is addressing a serious matter of crisis. The church in Corinth was struggling with the very real threat of rampant sexual immorality in the surrounding culture. As an extreme reaction to situation (which was necessary at the time) Paul advised those who were already married to stay committed to their marriage and those who were single to either stay single (in order to avoid temptation) or to get married (also to avoid temptation). He caps off his instructions with a summary thought: whatever your status (married or single), nothing in this life, be it marriage, possessions, joys, or sorrows, should ever become an end in and of itself. In light of the fact that this world is only temporary and is quickly passing away, followers of Christ should not allow themselves to get so wrapped up in this present life that they lose focus on what's most important.
Application:
It's real easy get distracted by the day to day goings of life, work, family, and the rigorous schedule those things generate. We often find ourselves looking back and wondering, "where did the time go?" Fact is, time is running out for all of us. Moment by moment it is slipping away at a steady pace. All of us are either spending that time or investing it. Spent time quickly disappears with little or nothing to show for it, but invested time always produces a return. As believers God has called us to "redeem the time" (Ephesians 5:16). We can't afford to "waste" the time and opportunities God has given us each and every day to do something that will matter in eternity. It's sobering to stop and think about how much of our lives is spent doing things that have little or no eternal value. Not that many of those things don't matter- I bet many of them do. But the challenge for us though is that we hold those things loosely and not allow them to compete with God's greatest purpose for our lives.
Prayer:
Father, help us in the busyness of life not to allow things to steal of focus or affections. Keep our eyes adjusted to the light of Your eternal purpose in everything we do. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading Plan
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