In talking with a couple of the elders at Crossroads after the morning assembly yesterday, I was greatly helped by them in thinking through some of the implications for single believers who are thinking seriously about staying single for life. From the Bible passage that we were studying together yesterday in 1 Corinthians 6 and 7, there are a number of different applications to think and pray through in the grace of God. I am just going to outline a few here briefly, but please do think of others as you continue to study the passage.

First of all, as Christian believers, we can be grateful to God for the gift of singleness. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:7 “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.” So we can recognize that singleness is a gift from God, and we can thank Him for it, and use it His way. In 1 Corinthians 6:20 it says “for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” Christians who are single don’t have to lament their circumstances or become bitter about them or anxiously try and change them, instead they can be grateful to God and rely on His grace to live in their circumstance to His glory. In Jesus, to Whom they belong, they are able to live out their singleness (celibacy) in pure and godly ways, not in the selfish and sinful ways they see the world around them engage in singleness, but to the glory of God, and the church can encourage and help them to do it.

Secondly, Christians who are single can make the most of the time. Paul tells us again and again in this passage that the time is short. In (7:26) he says “in view of the present distress”, and in (7:29) he says, “the appointed time has grown very short”, and in (7:31) he says, “For the present form of this world is passing away.” With this kind of eternal perspective, the follower of Jesus is free to think about how to redeem the time, and the single follower of Jesus can think through all of the different ways that they are free to honor God with their time, and the church can encourage and help them to do it.

Third, and finally, singleness provides the Christian a great opportunity for ministry. In 7:32 Paul says “The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.” And in 7:34 he says “the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit.” In 7:35 Paul says all of this “to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” Singleness can be a fantastic place for expressing devotion to the Lord, and so Christians who are single don’t have to waste their singleness but are able to throw themselves into gospel ministry, and the church can encourage and help them to do it.

I pray this helps as you continue to study and pray through this passage in the grace of God. Thanks again for having me yesterday, it was a privilege for me to be with you all. Please be assured of my prayers and partnership in the gospel.