What's Good About Being Single?

 “Let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him.” 
– 1 Corinthians 7:17

An old country pastor once said, “Better to live in single loneliness than in married cussedness.”

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul tells us that singleness and marriage are both gifts from God, and that each one presents unique opportunities for us to serve Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Word of God urges us to be content and bloom where we’re planted. If you’re single, stop wasting your time daydreaming about the greener grass of marriage. If you’re married, stop wasting your time daydreaming about the greener grass of singleness. Whatever your situation is, be the best Christian you can possibly be right where you are.

So, if you are a Christian single, take heart! Here are four good reasons to remain single and celibate:

Reason #1 (vs. 25-27): Single celibacy allows you to better navigate the “present crisis.” We’re not sure what “present crisis” Paul was referring to, but whatever it was, he saw it as a higher priority than tying the knot. So, does this word of instruction apply to us today? Yes, during times of “crisis,” it’s best to shelter in place. The NIV reads this way: “Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife” (v. 27).

Reason #2 (v. 28): Being married can add to your troubles. Marriage is hard enough when a husband and wife are on the same page. It’s significantly harder when a husband and wife have different callings and assignments. So, singles, don’t get married just to have an escape valve for your sex drive, or because your parents really want grandkids, or because you’re lonely. Ultimately, marriage is the solution for only one thing: Fulfilling the will of God. Only get married if it is clearly God’s will for you.

Reason #3 (vs. 32-35): Singleness allows you to serve Christ with “undivided devotion.” I believe that of all the reasons for remaining single and celibate, this one is closest to Paul’s heart. The gift of singleness allows a Christian to focus 100% on the concerns of God. If God has called you to be single—whether for a short season or permanently—you have been given a beautiful opportunity to focus entirely on pleasing God and doing His work without the distraction of also pleasing your spouse.

Reason #4 (vs. 39-40): Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Marriage isn’t a car. You can’t just take it for a test drive. Warren Wiersbe writes: “There is no place in Christian marriage for a ‘trial marriage,’ nor is there any room for the ‘escape hatch’ attitude. ‘If the marriage doesn’t work, we can always get a divorce.’…  There must be a willingness to grow, to learn from each other, to forgive and forget, to minister to one another.”

If you have been given the gift of single celibacy, your assignment can best be carried out in your singleness. But if you have been given the gift of marriage, your assignment can best be carried out as you lock arms and hearts with your Christian helpmate. Choosing marriage or singleness boils down to choosing to walk in obedience to fulfill the will of God for your life.

Dane Davis is the pastor of Impact Christian Church in Victorville. Join us at Impact for Sunday services: in person or online at 8:45 a.m. on Facebook Live or YouTube. For more information, visit www.GreaterImpact.cc.