Ramblings on What We Share: Blessing of the Single Life

Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. 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 would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs —how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God. I Corinthians 7:25-39

Complete and utter devotion to the Lord is a luxury that often only a single person can attain. A life that is unfettered by the responsibilities as spouse and parent can be a life of pure purpose and consuming passion for the Lord. One who is alone has the freedom to explore a life of intimacy with God at their leisure. Time that others spend caring for their families can be invested in the Kingdom of Heaven. A single person’s loyalty is to God alone and to the Church, His family.

This world is passing away. Our time to do God’s will is short. Jesus said that we should work for the night is coming when no one can work (John 9:4). For those of us who are married, Paul challenges us to live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. He tells us to live as if we are single, taking care to not become entangled in our possessions and the things of this world. Our goal should be to emulate the heroes of faith that lived as pilgrims and strangers on earth (Heb. 11).

Ramblings on What We Share: No Coincidences

Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. I Cornithians 7:17-24

The issue of calling has been a topic debated by Christians for millennia. What exactly is a calling and who much of it is based on circumstance or situation? Paul begins this passage by speaking about discovering where the Lord has placed us and that to which He has called us.

We are fools if we suppose that our entire lives have not been intricately entwined with God’s plan. Surely the man born into an slavery was placed there by God’s wisdom. Therefore, God’s plan for that man requires him to be a slave.  History has shown us that some born into slavery were placed there to help rescue other slaves.

So no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we should not let it trouble us. Rather, we bend our ear to hear the voice of the One who calls us to do His bidding.