This is an excerpt from article by Moishe Rosen
the notion that people are somehow incomplete unless they are married is wrong. Yet many accept the false notion that life begins when (or if) they marry.
Scripture doesn't say that God has one ideal for all people in terms of whether marriage is desirable. In certain instances it is right to remain single, while in others it is best to marry. There are some who choose to be single to serve God. Those who do should be especially commended. The Apostle Paul wrote, "For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion" (1 Corinthians 7:7-9, NKJV).
Some never chose to be single, but finding themselves not likely to marry within the faith, they choose to be content and make good use of their singleness to serve God. Others have become single because their spouses have died, or left them. No matter what the situation, whether one is single through choice or circumstance, no one in Christ should have to feel alone or be treated like a half-person. It is true that being single has its problems, but does being married have fewer problems? Let us remind one another that everyone needs Jesus, not a mate, to be whole.
In what way might single people have an advantage over those who are married? The greatest potential is greater freedom in serving the Lord. Single people can give and do things that married people can't. That does not mean they should be presumed upon. Nor does it mean that single people will naturally wield themselves to render more service to God than those who are married. It takes more effort, not less, to have a servant heart.
Whether an individual is single by choice or by circumstance, it is up to each one to evaluate the potential advantages of being single and to decide how to make those advantages work to the praise and glory of God. If you are single, I would encourage you to prayerfully consider this. Some (not all) of the most effective people on our staff are unattached. They can leave home more easily and travel far with less disruption. In some cases, they can stay with a project longer, focus better and avoid distraction.
So whether you are married or not, remember that single people are not unclaimed blessingsparticularly when they belong to the Lord! If they are in Christ, they are claimed indeed. Some, with Jesus as the unrivaled love of their lives, are able to give and receive wonderful blessings that others will never know. However, it takes a conscious effort, a choice to allow God to use their special circumstances to work for His glory. In fact, it takes a conscious effort for all of us, whether married or single, to use our advantages, whatever they may be, to His glory. Let us work together to find our completeness in Him.
Full article: http://www.jfjonline.org/pub/newsletters/1996-02/unclaimed.htm
the notion that people are somehow incomplete unless they are married is wrong. Yet many accept the false notion that life begins when (or if) they marry.
Scripture doesn't say that God has one ideal for all people in terms of whether marriage is desirable. In certain instances it is right to remain single, while in others it is best to marry. There are some who choose to be single to serve God. Those who do should be especially commended. The Apostle Paul wrote, "For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion" (1 Corinthians 7:7-9, NKJV).
Some never chose to be single, but finding themselves not likely to marry within the faith, they choose to be content and make good use of their singleness to serve God. Others have become single because their spouses have died, or left them. No matter what the situation, whether one is single through choice or circumstance, no one in Christ should have to feel alone or be treated like a half-person. It is true that being single has its problems, but does being married have fewer problems? Let us remind one another that everyone needs Jesus, not a mate, to be whole.
In what way might single people have an advantage over those who are married? The greatest potential is greater freedom in serving the Lord. Single people can give and do things that married people can't. That does not mean they should be presumed upon. Nor does it mean that single people will naturally wield themselves to render more service to God than those who are married. It takes more effort, not less, to have a servant heart.
Whether an individual is single by choice or by circumstance, it is up to each one to evaluate the potential advantages of being single and to decide how to make those advantages work to the praise and glory of God. If you are single, I would encourage you to prayerfully consider this. Some (not all) of the most effective people on our staff are unattached. They can leave home more easily and travel far with less disruption. In some cases, they can stay with a project longer, focus better and avoid distraction.
So whether you are married or not, remember that single people are not unclaimed blessingsparticularly when they belong to the Lord! If they are in Christ, they are claimed indeed. Some, with Jesus as the unrivaled love of their lives, are able to give and receive wonderful blessings that others will never know. However, it takes a conscious effort, a choice to allow God to use their special circumstances to work for His glory. In fact, it takes a conscious effort for all of us, whether married or single, to use our advantages, whatever they may be, to His glory. Let us work together to find our completeness in Him.
Full article: http://www.jfjonline.org/pub/newsletters/1996-02/unclaimed.htm
