“… Yet such [married people] will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.”

Pessimistic about marital life as this sounds, Paul was a realist. He certainly held marriage in high regard, even as a picture of Christ and the church (Eph. 5:21–33). The focus of marriage is centered on two people, a man and woman who devote themselves to each other to live out the image of God together. It brings fulfillment and pleasure at many levels, companionship and committed love. Modern social studies have shown that solid, committed marriages in the nuclear family form the bedrock of stable society.

Yet one cannot escape the logic of Paul’s reasoning here: marriage has limitations “in this life,” when “the time has been shortened” and “the form of this world is passing away.” His view of life’s purpose was not simply to live life to the fullest and enjoy God’s creation; we have a job to do, a mission to accomplish. The Lord has left us here for a reason, and it is not primarily for our own personal benefit and enjoyment, with the goal of living to a ripe old age with lots of grandchildren. For Paul there was only one speed of Christianity—going all out:

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:1–2)

Paul refers to being married, weeping, rejoicing, buying stuff—all common things of this world, the humdrum of everyday life and experiences. For the committed disciple of Christ, these should not define our lives. Not that they are evil, but they should not have first priority. Is it not our goal to serve the Lord and His mission? One cannot serve the Lord exclusively if one’s focus is on pleasing a spouse. As Paul said earlier, that is not a bad thing. It is just that there is something better for those who can do it. We must not be lulled into rooting our lives in the earthly enjoyments and experiences of a world that is passing away.

Lord, these are hard things to accept, but Your Word is truth and I trust You!