Just for Singles

Just for Singles

Granted, marriage is the usual path taken by young adults. After all, this is God’s design for bringing children into the world. But it should not be thought of as the ‘normal path.’ It is also ‘normal’ to stay single, according to Scripture.
The most extensive passage on the subject is in 1 Corinthians chapter 7. Verse 27 admonishes, “Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.” How contrary this is to the normal thinking of our society! When I was in college, some seniors experienced what was called “senior panic.” Students about to graduate realized that the quantity of potential mates was about to be dramatically reduced! In their panic, they lowered their standard and increased their search intensity. I know of one senior who was engaged two weeks after meeting a girl. Whew! Just under the wire!
We could understand this thinking from the world, but it is out of place for the trusting Christian, whether male or female. God is sovereign, right? So He is able to bring two young people together at the proper time, right? That means, if we are walking by faith, we will trust and not fret about the matter of marriage.
Paul goes on in the passage to list the reasons for the admonition. First, marriage brings trouble in the flesh. (28) Second, the time is short and it is better to concentrate on our present service. After all, this world is quickly passing away. (29-31) Third, marriage rearranges our priorities. (32-35). A single person can concentration on his or her service for God, while a married person is expected to bump that priority below pleasing his wife or her husband. One definition of ‘please’ here is “to accommodate one’s self to the opinions, desires, and interests of others.” It is, of course, assumed that the single person is desiring first to please (same word) and serve the Lord. Your extra free time is so “. . . that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.” (35)
Paul is not saying that marriage is sin, or even bad as some have accused him. He is just saying that, if God so call you, you can accomplish more for God single than married. He is focusing not on what you don’t have (a mate) but on what you do have (more time and attention to serve Christ), not on the freedom you have to ‘not be tied down,’ but on the freedom to give more time for God’s service now.
It behooves the church to honor the single young people who, for however long, use their time and talents to serve Him.  They may be pitied by some, but they are honored and blessed by the Lord. We should also keep before them this thinking: if God brings a mate into your life, wonderful! In the meantime, instead of focusing on the search, concentrate on His service.