SCRIPTURE:
“… and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.”
1 Corinthians 7:31
OBSERVATION:
In a string of scriptures leading up to S-31 and including S-32 to the Corinthians, Paul is encouraging the people away from various anxieties of worry in order to give “undivided devotion” (S-35) to the Lord. Paul suggests an antithesis (opposite) approach to the things that consume us (i.e. our dealings with the world). He isn’t saying ignore them, but to prioritize the Lord first as if those things did not exist. Why? Because the world in view of Jesus return is “grown very short” (S-29. In other words, we are in the “last days” before Christ’s return, so we need to be more about Jesus’ business than the business and busyness of the world.
APPLICATION:
This scripture is a great reminder to me of the fact that we are in the “last days,” and that our priority, focus, time, and efforts, should be about Christ first before I get caught up in all of the laundry lists of life.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for the reminder that time is short and that I need to be devoted to you in heart, mind, and soul; as well as heeding your call and assignment on my life before I get caught up in the things I am called to in life and the world. May my priorities not discount my life responsibilities, but may they not take precedence over your will and your plan for me.
