Single and Blessed by David Jeremiah

Thursday, September 14

Single and Blessed 

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am. 
1 Corinthians 7:8 

Recommended Reading 1 Corinthians 7:6-7

A concession stand at a sports stadium is run by a vendor who has permission (a concession) to sell food or memorabilia. After the game, the concession stand closes. Concessions are temporary exceptions—like God prescribing a vegetarian diet in Genesis 1:29, then giving permission to eat meat in Genesis 9:1-3. When God’s perfect creation was cursed by sin, the norm gave way to a concession.

In the perfect Garden of Eden, God said it was not good for Adam to be alone. So He created Eve for Adam and made marriage the norm for mankind. But in 1 Corinthians 7, Paul wrote to the Corinthians that it was fine, indeed perhaps preferable, for single Christians to remain single. Why did Paul make this exception to God’s norm? For several reasons based on our imperfect world. Godly exceptions, like living a single life, are equally blessed by God.

The Church needs to embrace single Christians—divorced, widowed, never married—with grace and love as they seek God’s direction for their present and future life. Do you know someone who is single and needs encouragement or connection? Be there for them today.

One of the greatest advantages of singleness is the potential for greater focus on Christ and accomplishing work for Him. 
Elizabeth George