SINGLENESS

this article is adapted from the late Dr Myles Munroe's teaching on singleness.. Stay blessed as you read...


BEING SINGLE

It is okay to be single, but not good to be alone. People do not have a “singleness” problem. They have an entirely different problem, called “being single”, especially after years of being one of a couple, of feeling a sense of “belonging to” someone.
Being single means to be “separate, unique, and whole”. Would you like to stop being whole or a unique person? Of course not! So what is this problem with singleness? There is no problem, except with our definition of singleness, which we have confused with “being alone” or “loneliness”. If the Bible definition of being single is to be “unique and whole”, then we all should have the goal of singleness! The Bible does not teach that singleness is bad, negative or unhealthy. In fact, no one should marry until he or she is totally single. Until you are a separate, unique and whole person, you are actually not ready to marry!


Most marriages fail because a husband or wife (or both) do not see themselves as unique, worthy individuals, i.e. they have bad self-image and are not whole, or they are not separate but always depend on somebody else to make them happy. Until you are truly single, marriage will be a difficult, and perhaps negative, experience. Your life – before and during marriage or after divorce – will get better as you become more single. Instead of running from being single, you should run toward singleness.


GOD’S VIEW OF SINGLENESS

In Genesis 2:18, did God say “It is not good for man to be single”?
NO. He said: “It is not good that the man should be alone…”
God had no problem with the man’s separateness, his uniqueness, or his wholeness. Adam did not even know that he was alone. He was so totally unique and so whole in himself that he did not miss anybody. It was God’s own observation of the situation, based on His own wisdom, that led to this statement. Having a companion was not Adam’s idea, it was God’s.

Neither did God say, “Adam is not a whole being, he needs a wife to complete him.” In essence, God wanted to give him a helper who would be suitable, or “like him” – another being who would complement him and be complemented by him. God made this second human being for Adam not to be alone. You do not need to be married not to be alone. Any companions and close friends can fulfil that role in your life. Lots of people are not married and yet not alone. And lots of others are married, yet desperately alone! God did not create marriage in order for us not to be alone. He created other human beings in order for us not to be alone. Eve was not created primarily as a wife, but as another like Adam, who would first be a companion; then, later, a wife. All you need not to be alone is to find someone else like you.
Marriage will not solve aloneness.
God never said it was not good for man to be unique, separate and whole. As a matter of fact, He likes uniqueness so much that no two people on this planet have the same DNA, fingerprints or eye retina patterns. Our conclusion must therefore be that God not only likes uniqueness, separateness and wholeness, He insists on it in His creations!
Being single is therefore essential to – and the foundation of – ALL relationships. A relationship is only as good as whatever the individuals involved bring to it. An omelette is only as good as the separate eggs in it.


GOD DOES NOT CHOOSE YOUR MARRIAGE PARTNER FOR YOU

God only presents. You choose. If God chose your mate for you, He would not only be violating your right to choose, but He would be taking responsibility for the relationship. If it failed, any blame could be transferred to God. It is a misconception that God has created only one specific person on this planet for you to marry. Just as He made salvation possible for you, but gave you the freedom to choose it or reject it, in the same way He will present people in your life, and it is your choice whether or not you use the Word, wisdom and characteristics of God’s nature to make that choice. Therefore, you must take the responsibility for your choice – and for all the consequences that come with it. Do not become overly spiritual or irrational in this regard. Providing prospects is God’s responsibility, but choosing a mate is yours. Rely on the assistance of the Holy Spirit, but do not attempt to transfer the responsibility of choice to Him

PRINCIPLES OF DEVOTED LIVING

PRINCIPLES OF DEVOTED LIVING


This is a dedication to all youths in the ministry.. Serving God is not in vain.. I have been in the leadership for sometimes now... There is much profit in serving God.



1 COR 7:17-24

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
 (Corinthians 1 07 : 17 - 24 )



*one of the principles which Paul underlines in paragraph is the necessity to appreciate the value which God has placed on you. "Ye are bought with a price" vs 23. Every child of God is of value in the estimation of God. Every individual and every life is of importance to God. This is what Paul is stressing in this section. Thoughts of self pity and personal rejection must be refused and replaced by an appreciation of 'my worth' before the Lord.
There are no second class saints, only second class thinkers. Every person is of value to God and should be of value to those who wish to think as God does.



ACCEPTANCE

Notice also the need to accept whatever circumstances into which God has brought us. "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called" (vs 20).  Self pity, lack of self confidence, a misunderstanding about God's purposes all may combine to paralyze a person. Paul mskes clear that all saints should serve God where they are and in whatever circumstances they are found.


ABIDE WITH GOD

Finally, Paul makes a plea that every saint should use whatever circumstances God has brought him into, to abide with God (vs 24). Cultivating the fellowship of God is something which is open to every believer in every set of circumstances. The eternal abiding principles of God transcend cultures,time and circumstances. Remember Mathew 6:33 " seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."  Putting God first and allowing Him to order the remainder of my life will never result in loss.


" I have learned in whatsoever state I am to be content;.... I am strong for all things in Christ who is constantly pouring strength into me " Phil 4:11,13


" Whatsoever thine hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" Eccl. 9:10


In His Service,

Harri