The word of Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 is very special: “But this I
say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that
have wives may be as though they had none; and those that weep, as
though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced
not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; and those that
use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world
passeth away” (vv. 29-31). Such is a Christian. Since the Lord who
dwells in him is so great, outside things no longer matter. For people
to suppress these things or abstain from them merely proves how
powerful these things are. Even those who most practice asceticism
are sometimes the most filled with lusts and passions. Only he who is
full of Christ is free from the problem of lust. He who has a wife may
be as though he had none; he who has not a wife does not seek for
one. He who weeps may be as though he wept not; he who rejoices,
as though he rejoiced not. He may purchase things but as not
possessing; use, but as not using the world to the full. The Christian
transcends everything. His life is not abstinence but transcendence.