Only the work you do for Christ will last

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. – I Corinthians 7:29-31

We in the Christian church are called to be focused on the cross of Jesus Christ. When we do that, we can avoid much of the setbacks which we encounter here on earth.

Jesus is the object our hope. Through him alone, we obtain eternal life. For that reason, we should let nothing sidetrack us. Yet, we do.

Because we do get sidetracked, the apostle Paul, in his charge to the church at Corinth, beseeched the Christians to focus. He wanted them to be so focused on the work of Christ, that he implored them to act as if they were not married, or if they sorrow, to act as if they were not in sorrow.

The apostle’s charge was that there was an urgency to do the work of God in Christ. He might have seemed to be somewhat harsh, especially for those who were married or those who mourned.

Thinking that the coming of the Lord was close at hand, he was saying to the church – time is short, you do not have time to be concerned about the things of the world. The most important things were the things of God.

He expressed that Christ Jesus would return to collect his church soon. Therefore, he was saying be ready for his return.

The urgency of Christ’s return was then, and is now, most important. His return is imminent and we should be focused on that return. The time is short because no one knows when the Lord will call us to our eternal rest.

When he does call us, it is the judgment for us. Because we do not know when the Lord will call us out of this life, we should work as if we do not have any time.

The proclamation of the gospel is paramount during our lifetime. The work of God comes before any and everything. There is nothing more important than that. 

We often think that there are things in our lives that are more important than the work of the Lord. We are always busy, never having time for the work of the Lord. 

The things of this world will pass away. We will lose them. When we leave this earth, they will remain here. We cannot take anything with us. Jesus calls us to be focused on his work.

Paul is simply telling the church at Corinth that God should take first place in their lives. Those words are also for us. Let nothing get between you and the work of the Lord.

When the day of judgement comes, no one except Jesus Christ can speak for you when you stand before the Lord’s judgment throne. There is no other advocate.

Not your parents, nor your husband or wife, not your friends, not your children, not your pastor or your earthly possessions. Only the work you do for Christ will last. Therefore, we should all focus on the proclamation of the gospel. That is what we are called to do. That is what is most important. Amen.

• Rev. Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at the Lutheran Church of Nassau, 119 John F. Kennedy Drive, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas; or telephone: 426-9084; E-mail: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com; website: www.nassaulutheranchurch.org.

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