I'm struggling understanding my purpose and calling as a single. I can only find a few Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 7 on this.
Question:
I'm struggling understanding my purpose and calling as a single. I can only find a few Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 7 on this.
Answer:
This is great question! There are many people who have been given the gift of singleness during their life. Certainly as you mentioned, it is difficult sometimes in this culture to see it the blessing it truly is. You can certainly take encouragement from words Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in passages like 1 Cor 7:32-35
1Cor. 7:32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;
1Cor. 7:33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
1Cor. 7:34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
1Cor. 7:35 This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.
If God has gifted you with the life of singleness, then you are able to pursue serving Him without distractions. Even though you still will wrestle with the flesh and perhaps desire companionship (which is understandable) you can take heart that in scripture Singleness is highly regarded and held in high esteem as a special position. Paul says in v. 35 “this is not a restraint”, meaning we are free to choose marriage if we wish, but he is a fan and advocates for the benefits of singleness in ministry.
On the other hand, singleness HAS to be gifted to you from the Lord otherwise you run the risk of “burning with passion” Paul says, leading you to potentially lust and sin. Paul is famous for this passage where he says that it’s better for you to marry than risk sexual temptation and sin. Therefore, unless you have been gifted to live a single life, you should seek to marry one day.
As you pray about your purpose and calling, we recommend you also pray for wisdom as to whether the Lord has selected you for singleness so that you might be positioned in a unique way to serve him, bring him Glory, and walk with I’m in a powerful unburdened way. Un hindered by the need to care for a wife or husband. You're faithfulness to such a call would bring great joy and ETERNAL BLESSING, should you determine this is the Lords will.
Regarding the topic of “purpose and calling”, this is a large topic that deserves a much longer explanation. However, there is something to keep in mind as you navigate the issue of single, married, divorced, windowed, etc. life. It’s the issue of our underlying purpose over all as humans. More specifically, our only true purpose and calling can’t be realized by something we do “right or wrong” or “single or married”, but only as believer is Christ Jesus. One purpose we have in this life we see in scripture is to honor God with our thoughts, and lives and keeping his commandments because one day we will be judged Solomon wrote:
Ecc 12:13-14 ”Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil”
King David didn’t consider his true purpose to be even able to be fulfilled while on this side of eternity. He wrote this:
Psalm 17:15 ”And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.”
Once could conclude that another purpose of this life is for us to gain perspective. “Eyes for Eternity” is a phrase you will hear us say a lot.
So to sum up this thought, remember that according to scripture our ultimate purpose married, or un-married is:
1) Glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him
2) be in good relationship with others (sanctification)
4) work
5) have dominion over the Earth.
That was the original plan, but as you know after sin these five things became strained.
Only through a relationship with Christ can these things be restored.