What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
– 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (NIV)
Before making any further remarks, let me begin by saying that the Apostle Paul is not suggesting that men should neglect their wives and their responsibility to their families. In this block of Scripture, he discussed the difference between being single and married and shared that a married person could not focus solely on the work of ministry because of their commitment to marriage.
What Paul is referring to hear is the sense of urgency and focus that is needed in the body of Christ. Whether a short time or a long time, our world is in decay. There will come a time when this world will be consumed by God and a new heaven and a new Earth will be created.
Jesus taught in a couple different parables the importance of being ready at the end of time as we know it. Not because it is happening next week, but simply because we do not know when it will happen. Therefore, we should all live as if it were happening in the near future. There are eternal implications if we live loosely and outside of God’s boundaries.
The end of time as we know it could come sooner than we think, in the form of death. The Earth and it’s inhabitants may live on for thousands, or millions of years, but your life is fleeting. It is a vapor in the scope of eternity. You should live with focus and urgency because your time is short.