Family Steps

Gaining a Higher Perspective

The Single Perspective

Singleness is Not a Secondary State to Marriage 

But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. 8 So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am.  1 Cor. 7:7-8 (NLT)

Marriage and Singlehood are Both Gifts from God.

“It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper suitable for him” (Gen. 2:18).

But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others. 1 Cor.7:7 (MSG)

He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”  Luke 10:27

Singlehood has Singular Advantages.

• You Have Less Concerns

… those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

                                                                                               1 Cor. 7:28

• You Have Less Distractions

I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 1 Cor. 7:32-34  (NLT)

• You Have More Free Time to be Used by God

  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  Eph.5:15-17

Singles Fall into Different Categories

Some are chaste who were so born from their mother’s womb. And others are chaste who were made so by men. And others are chaste who have made themselves chaste for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who can receive it, let him receive it.  Matt. 19:12 (NMB)

When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.  Mark 12:25 

Admonitions for Singles

1. Avoid Trading Marital Distractions for Other Distractions

2. Say “Yes” to the Spontaneous.

3. Fall Madly in Love With Jesus

4. Guard Your Moral Purity

Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.      1 Cor.6:18-20

God Desires Singles to be Satisfied and Sent