MARRIAGE AND SINGLENESS

MARRIAGE AND SINGLENESS

Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. —I Corinthians 7:28

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.  

So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. —I Corinthians 7:38

            An unmarried person can give their undivided attention to our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are married have “divided interests” because they are not only seeking to please their Lord, but also their spouse. All you who are married understand this. Our Lord is still our priority relationship, but we also have our spousal relationship where “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25) and “must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33).  So there are parallels to loving and respecting our spouses to our loving and respecting our Lord. So instead of one relationship with our Lord we have one with our spouse that we are to give ourselves to as well.

            Those who are married will have “worldly troubles.” Singles are encouraged to stay single if they have that ability to control their passions. Then they can focus entirely on their relationship with our Lord.   Marriages will have conflicts which in themselves are not bad, but it is how the conflict is resolved. Singles will not have these type conflicts to occupy themselves. Marriage is good! Marriage is great! “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD” (Proverbs 8:12).  “The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper” (Genesis 2:18). “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown…” (Proverbs 12:4). “Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD” (Proverbs 19:14). “Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Let us rejoice in our spouses whom our Lord has given to us.   They are precious gifts from Him!

            It is better, if possible, to remain single. Why? So one can have undivided attention to our Lord and His desires. A single person is more available than a married person who has the responsibilities of a spouse and children if they have them. Our Lord gives each one the ability to marry or to remain unmarried. In either case let us be faithful in the calling He has called us to. Yes dear Father may I love You with my whole being and love my spouse as Christ loved the Church. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.   I surely need Your Help! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlNs-EUtZ_Y