2 Chronicles 10-12
John 11:30-57
“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.” 1 Corinthians 7:17
While the Pharisees were testing Jesus about divorce, Jesus turned the question around when he told them: “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). Jesus’s disciples,
who were listening to the discourse that Jesus was having with the Pharisees, exclaimed, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry” (Matthew 19:10). The disciples were blown away by Jesus’s teaching. We may rephrase the disciples’ response as, “What? If that is the case, Jesus, this is impossible! Man, it’s better not to marry!” For the disciples who were not married, they were seriously considering celibacy.
In the church—and even outside the church—we sometimes treat single people as though that is not the fullness of all that God has for them. But the truth is, singleness is actually a gift given to some people. Jesus affirmed this by saying to His disciples, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it” (Matthew 19:11-12). There are some people who choose singleness and do not need to enter into marriage. There are others who are made this way by the actions of others, like something happened in their life, and they are single. As well as others who renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom. Altogether, Jesus’s advice was, “If you can, accept this. If God has granted that to you, do so. There’s no problem with it.”
For those who are single, there is encouragement in Scripture. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he writes, “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:32-35).
Whether we are married or unmarried, may we live with undivided devotion to the Lord.
Precious Lord, I want to live with undivided devotion towards You in both body and spirit. May You guide my steps each day. Thank You, Lord.
John 11:30-57
“Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.” 1 Corinthians 7:17
While the Pharisees were testing Jesus about divorce, Jesus turned the question around when he told them: “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery” (Matthew 19:9). Jesus’s disciples,
who were listening to the discourse that Jesus was having with the Pharisees, exclaimed, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry” (Matthew 19:10). The disciples were blown away by Jesus’s teaching. We may rephrase the disciples’ response as, “What? If that is the case, Jesus, this is impossible! Man, it’s better not to marry!” For the disciples who were not married, they were seriously considering celibacy.
In the church—and even outside the church—we sometimes treat single people as though that is not the fullness of all that God has for them. But the truth is, singleness is actually a gift given to some people. Jesus affirmed this by saying to His disciples, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it” (Matthew 19:11-12). There are some people who choose singleness and do not need to enter into marriage. There are others who are made this way by the actions of others, like something happened in their life, and they are single. As well as others who renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom. Altogether, Jesus’s advice was, “If you can, accept this. If God has granted that to you, do so. There’s no problem with it.”
For those who are single, there is encouragement in Scripture. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he writes, “I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:32-35).
Whether we are married or unmarried, may we live with undivided devotion to the Lord.
Precious Lord, I want to live with undivided devotion towards You in both body and spirit. May You guide my steps each day. Thank You, Lord.
← Older Post Newer Post →