Never a Waste

First Corinthians 7 can be a difficult passage for those of us who are single. The idea that singleness could be God’s will for the long-term is a truth which can feel just too painful to touch. And yet, this passage has become precious to me over the past year, because it shows me that even though God’s plan for me has been singleness, it is for a good purpose.

In a previous post, I wrote about the passage itself, (read it here) but recently I was reading the chapter in my daily time with God and something jumped out at me for the very first time.

Verse 25 begins a section in which Paul specifically addresses the purpose of singleness. But first, he makes the following statement by way of introduction:

“Now concerning virgins I have have no commandment of the Lord; yet I give my judgement, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.”

Truthfully, that verse had never seemed too interesting to me, but as I read it this time, the Holy Spirit pointed out the phrase “as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful”

I had developed the idea over the years, way back in the recesses of my mind that Paul wrote this passage from a lofty position of Holy Spirit-inspired authority, looking down on the common people, and seeing a group that needed to be told what to do with their singleness. (Though he did have Holy Spirit authority inspiring his words.)

But that phrase… “to be faithful. Paul wasn’t standing loftily above, delivering a grave “Thus saith the Lord”. He was standing right there, in the midst of the group to which he was speaking.

Instead of “This is how singleness should work for you”, Paul was actually beckoning us, calling us to, as he said just a few chapters later, “Be ye followers of me as I follow Christ.” (I Corinthians 11:1)

Essentially, this passage is Paul saying, “Look! This is the blessing and responsibility of singleness, and God can help you to be faithful with it, just as He has helped me!”

On a higher level, we can see in Paul’s statement a reflection of Christ, who “has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:4) Just as Paul could relate to singleness because He had experienced it, Jesus came and lived a sinless human life on earth, so that He could be the High Priest that is touched “with the feeling of our infirmities”, Who was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) It is on this basis that we can “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

The fact is, it can be all too easy to view single ladyhood as a waste, but when we are living within the will of God, no season of life is ever wasted.

God often uses single Christians to pray, work, and witness in a wider way than those who are married, partly because the single Christian is unhindered by many of the cares and responsibilities of married life, and partly because we have the opportunity to focus more closely on serving God alone. (I Corinthians 7:32-34)

In the end, whether married or single, any life spent humbly serving God will never be a waste.