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. (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

It’s not déjà vu all over again as Yogi Berra used to say; I started a blog post a month ago with the same quote from Paul’s first Corinthian letter. The obvious emphasis has to do with how we do life. It’s a simple question with a seemingly simple answer. The Apostle challenges us to live our lives “as though” we’re not invested in it. That seems simple enough. We’re to live our lives recognizing that this world is coming to an end…sooner or later. But it’s this last aspect that snags us. When is this going to happen? And how do you do life in the meantime? I think that often our investments in this world are justified in our own mind by our investment in the things that pertain to our walk with the Lord. We pray; we read the Bible; we go to Church; we talk about the Lord with other people. It balances out. We spend a good portion of our time engaged in “spiritual” activities, and that balances out the time we spend investing in this life. Furthermore, it can be pointed out that a lot of our investment in this world is essential, meaning our survival is based on our acquisition of the necessities of life. We’ve got to eat; we need a place to sleep, and we need protection from the “vicissitudes” of our environment. A house—a shelter from the elements—is required. And even if we have those things, our circumstances can be washed—or burned—away at any time, prompting us to acquire some security in the event of the unexpected. That’s made evident in all the extreme circumstances that people are experiencing all over the world. No one’s immune—witness the fires, floods and earth quakes taking place seemingly everywhere.

If ever there was a time to take stock of our investments it’s now. How do we go about doing life? Where do we look for answers in the face of unexpected circumstances? What gives us a sense of security when we contemplate the unexpected? Do we really live our lives “as though” we did not have them? As I’m saying this I’m listening to myself at the same time, and it makes me wonder what I’m relying on. The Lord has unexpectedly provided a measure of abundance for me in my retirement. I’m not wealthy, but I have everything I need through some frugality on my part, provisions from the government, and the generosity of my own family, and I thank God for that. I’m at a place in life where acquiring things is no longer a goal; and for the most part that includes experiencing things as well as owning them. Perhaps it’s because I’m in this later season of my life that I’m able to face the question of my investments. What do I value and why do I value it? At my age it’s easier to live this life “as though” I did not, and anticipate the coming of God’s kingdom—I’m going to see it sooner rather than later. Yet I still think it’s appropriate to present this challenge and to prompt us all to assess the manner in which we do life in this world now. How enthralled are we with “things” and experiences? This is an important question because we’re up against a world that tries to present everything available as exciting—and essential—for having a “good” life. But acquiring things and experiences is a commercial activity in this world, and as we’ve already pointed out in previous posts, commerce is closely associated with idolatry in the Bible—witness the discussions in Ezekiel and the Revelation on this subject. The challenge is to live our lives in this world “as though” we did not. How do we do that? I don’t think it’s simply a matter of splitting our time between what we have now and what we expect in the future. Thinking about this I’m reminded of the admonition given by the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you brethren, are not of the darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-7)

I think the sobriety that’s indicated here isn’t just an alternative to the effects of strong drink. We’re called to be sober minded. We’re called to be sober rather than succumbing to the “inebriation” promised in our acquisition of the “good” life of things and experiences.

How do we do that? My response is for us to practice the Lord’s presence. What does that mean? It’s difficult to say because it involves a personal encounter with the Lord. It has to do with approaching Him with faith, informed by His Word, and with an expectation of an encounter. It’s not something that can be reduced to a procedure or a protocol. Rather it has to do with a consistent and aggressive engagement with our God. The Holy Spirit abides in us as believers and we can develop an appreciation for that abiding Spirit as we develop a sensitivity to His witness within us. It involves seeking the Lord and expecting Him to answer us in the process. Perhaps another way of putting it is that the Holy Spirit is like a still small voice residing within us; a voice that can provide guidance for, and an assessment of our thoughts. Consider this admonition by Paul to the Romans:

So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:12-17)

It’s a posture to be taken within and without. A collaboration if you will, in which we learn to appreciate and, in a sense, communicate with the Holy Spirit abiding within us. This is evident in the Apostle’s admonition of the Ephesians calling for them to be “renewed in the spirit of [their] mind” putting on a “new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth;” abstaining from improper behavior, and careful not to “grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” The word grieve in the Greek could also be translated as agitate, suggesting again that we have God’s Spirit abiding in us in a way that allows for communication with Him. (Ephesians 4:17-32)

Obviously what I’m describing is very subjective and needs to be developed through trial and error and with an investment in Scripture that is reinforced by the counsel of others. However, well-developed relations with the Lord are most essential for living in this world “as though” we did not. We need that power active within our souls; without it our senses are vulnerable to being overwhelmed by all the bells and whistles that we’re confronted with by a truly lost and truly dying world. And the amazing thing is that our fellowship with the Lord can become very personal and familiar. Listen to the way in which Paul describes his take on a number of questions confronting those early churches. Questions regarding marriage and family affairs, and the engagement with the idolatrous culture of the Roman world, along with his own experiences regarding his health; all are answered in a way suggesting an ongoing dialogue with the Lord.

Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “my grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9; see also 1 Corinthians 7)

We’re on a journey; we’re running a race—if you will. Our walk is not about living a good life and gaining entrance into the Kingdom in the end. Entering the Kingdom starts here and now and continues until our relations with the Lord are consummated with the full presentation of His reign. We need to do life now “as though” we did not, making use of what we’re presented with in this world, while, at the same time, cultivating a familiarity with the Lord and serving His purposes! It’s an exhilarating prospect, but one that requires vigilance because the world is a nasty place informed by the darkness. Remember the admonition of the Apostle John: “Little children, guard yourselves from idols.”(1 John 5:21)

Bear it in mind! Count on it! Halleluiah!