Friday, August 20, 2021

Some will be single


Matthew 19:10-12…

Considering the standard that Jesus had just given for purity in marriage (Matthew 19:1-9), the disciples wondered if perhaps it would be best to remain single. Jesus says that while some can remain single and be wholly devoted to the Lord, most cannot do this and remain pure.

God wants all people, married or unmarried, to live in sexual purity. People fail to harness their sexual energy when they believe that sexual activity is the only viable outlet for it. Yet all of us are called to some level of self-control. Some are gifted to be able to be single and do this, but most of us cannot do that. So we are called to honor God with our spouse.

For there are eunuchs…this means someone who does not engage in sexual activity. Some are born that way, some are made that way, and some choose to be that way for the sake of devotion to God. Such was the Apostle Paul, who encouraged those who might have the gift of singleness that he has (1 Corinthians 7:7), but he also realizes not all do (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). If you are content being single, and if you wish to devote yourself that way to the Lord, then that is good. But it is better to marry if you cannot control your passions.

The truth is that you can be devoted to God and have sexual desire. You can also be devoted to God and have control over your sexual desire. For some, singleness is a gift to be received from God. We must not automatically relegate these gifted people to secondary status.

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