1 Cor. 7:29-31 (NRSV)
Read 1 Cor. 7:29-31 on biblegateway.com
Verse 29I 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, Verse 30and 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, Verse 31and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
Devotion
The young church at Corinth, founded by Paul in the early 50s A.D., was a conflicted congregation. Theology, unity, discipline, spiritual gifts, marriage, life in a heathen society, worship, the resurrection – all received Paul's attention. Accompanying these problems was what the apostle calls "the present distress" – the fear that the end of the world was imminent.
This is a good reminder, that "The present form of this world is passing away." This life is transitory. It will come to an end. Another of Paul's letters contains a profound statement: "Our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior" (Phil. 3:20). The Christian lives in two real, interrelated worlds, one here and now and one yet to come.
So, "How then shall we live?" Paul provides the answer: “Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Prayer
Gracious God, we rejoice in the abundance of your grace and the promise of eternal life. Grant us the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may live as people of hope. Amen.