And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
Use of this world is to be without abuse of it, without letting its things rule the affections or claim place as life's chief concern. The reason is that the present world and its fashion and way of life are passing away, while the world to come will endure forever. The fashion of this world is passing, but the fashion of the world to come is permanent.
The world's changing fashions are bound up with vanity and worldly desire and can help lead to moral and spiritual ruin. The passing fashion is connected with vainglory, the desire of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, which are tied to impurity and falling into temptation. Rooting these desires out of the heart guards against weakness, while dwelling on pure and uplifting things fortifies against temptation.
In contrast to the passing present order, the righteous will receive a lasting reward of infinite bliss and boundless joy in the enduring world. Christ prepares mansions for the faithful. Those who love God and keep His commandments have a secure and unquestioned title to an immortal inheritance and everlasting life, entering God's kingdom by faith and holding fast their profession to possess it forever and ever.
Because earthly things and attractions are temporary, they should not be clung to or given priority over eternal welfare, but life should be lived in view of the coming kingdom. The world's fashion is not the pattern for forming children; parents should guide them toward characters fit for immortality. The shortness of time calls for detachment even in marriage, so spouses should not make each other the principal object of thought or demand that each satisfy the other's emotional needs, but should practice self-renunciation and self-sacrifice rather than selfish attachment.
Use of this world is to be without abuse of it, without letting its things rule the affections or claim place as life's chief concern. The reason is that the present world and its fashion and way of life are passing away, while the world to come will endure forever. The fashion of this world is passing, but the fashion of the world to come is permanent.
The world's changing fashions are bound up with vanity and worldly desire and can help lead to moral and spiritual ruin. The passing fashion is connected with vainglory, the desire of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, which are tied to impurity and falling into temptation. Rooting these desires out of the heart guards against weakness, while dwelling on pure and uplifting things fortifies against temptation.
In contrast to the passing present order, the righteous will receive a lasting reward of infinite bliss and boundless joy in the enduring world. Christ prepares mansions for the faithful. Those who love God and keep His commandments have a secure and unquestioned title to an immortal inheritance and everlasting life, entering God's kingdom by faith and holding fast their profession to possess it forever and ever.
Because earthly things and attractions are temporary, they should not be clung to or given priority over eternal welfare, but life should be lived in view of the coming kingdom. The world's fashion is not the pattern for forming children; parents should guide them toward characters fit for immortality. The shortness of time calls for detachment even in marriage, so spouses should not make each other the principal object of thought or demand that each satisfy the other's emotional needs, but should practice self-renunciation and self-sacrifice rather than selfish attachment.