Faithful Singleness II

1 Cor. 7:6-9, 25-40

1. Marriage is not the ultimate or only gift from God.
Singleness is also a gift from God as indicated in vs. 7-8.

Tim Keller says that “Singleness therefore is not an implicit or explicit statement that God is not pleased with you or that you are somehow deficient in character, maturity, or whatever. Singleness is a gift of an infinitely good and wise God Who gives some of His children this gift because He loves them so much.”

2. This principle exposes the idolatry of marriage and family.

We should be neither overly elated by getting married or overly disappointed by not being married. Because Christ is the only spouse that can truly fulfill us and God’s family the only family that will truly embrace and satisfy us…The Christian gospel and hope of the future kingdom de-idolized marriage. Keller

3. There is to be NO caste systems in the church around marriage.

4. Evidence for the goodness of singleness is manifested in the lives of the Apostle Paul and Jesus Christ.

5. Remaining single is a valid and good option in life that will avoid the obligations that come in marriage.

A social historian wrote, “Should they be widowed, Christian women enjoyed substantial advantages. Pagan widows faced great social pressure to remarry; Augustus even had widows fined if they failed to marry within two years. In contrast, among Christians, widowhood was highly respected and remarriage was, if anything, mildly discouraged. The church stood ready to sustain poor widows, allowing them a choice as to whether or not to remarry…Single widows were active in care-giving and good deeds in the neighborhood.” Rodney Stark.

6. There are fewer obstacles to Kingdom living in singleness.

“Singleness, like marriage, has a unique way of testifying to the gospel of grace.”

7. The single and the married are to live with eternity in view, as if Christ is coming tomorrow.

8. Singleness in the church allows for a rich cross-gender experience that spans many relationships vs. marriage where you are given to one relationship.

9. Beware of the idolatry of singleness and independence.

10. Beware of selfishness and self-serving motivations to remain single.

11. Remember that Christians are not defined ultimately by their calling.