Faithful in Singleness or Marriage (1 Corinthians 7:17)

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. 
– 1 Corinthians 7:17

So the context for this verse is Paul talking about marriage and singleness. And in this chapter, he’s actually advocating a lot for singleness, as Paul himself was single. And he’s talking about all the advantages and the blessings that come with singleness for the spread of the gospel and the glory of God and for people’s own joy. That’s not to say that marriage isn’t designed in the same way. It’s part of the beauty of how the Bible talks about both marriage and singleness.

1 Corinthians 7:17 points to the beauty of both marriage and singleness.

Both marriage and singleness are pictures of the gospel that can be stewarded for God’s glory. And in this verse here, Paul is saying, “Let each person lead the life the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him.”

Now, there’s so much we could talk about when it comes to marriage and specifically singleness here. But I just want to encourage us to pray in light of this picture that’s being emphasized in 1 Corinthians 7:17 of contentment in where God has called you today. Which may be different than where God calls you tomorrow. I am married today to my wife Heather, and I’m so thankful.

At the same time, I know neither Heather nor I is guaranteed to have breath tomorrow. Either one of us could be single tomorrow, but we’re married today. And others may be single today and maybe getting married tomorrow or this next weekend or very soon. And so that status could be about to change for you. The picture, though, that Paul is painting here is that as long as you’re single, as long as the Lord has assigned you singleness, then thrive in singleness to His glory. And as long as the Lord assigns you marriage, then thrive in marriage to God’s glory.

1 Corinthians 7:17 calls us to contentment in every season of life.

In so many ways in our lives, beyond singleness in marriage, we have a tendency to look at what others have or to look at people who are in a different state and say, “I wish I were that.” And Paul is saying, “Don’t do it.” Trust that the Lord has you where He has you right now and thrive in the place, with the status and specifically with the marital status that God has entrusted to you right now for His glory, trusting Him today and trusting Him with tomorrow.

And so God, we pray for this contentment over each other that we see here in 1 Corinthians 7:17. Help us to lead the lives You’ve entrusted to us today. I pray for every single brother or sister in Christ who is listening to this right now.

I pray for thriving in singleness, for kids, for students, and for single brothers and sisters of a variety of different ages. And also for brothers, sisters, I know who were married and are no longer married for various reasons in this fallen world, including death as well as divorce. God, we pray together for all of our single brothers and sisters in Christ. Help them thrive today in the place You have put them today. Even as we pray the same over all of our married brothers and sisters.

This verse challenges us to trust God’s Sovereign wisdom.

God, whether in singleness or marriage today, help us to be content with where You have us in Your sovereign wisdom and design. And God, help us to thrive in singleness and to thrive in marriage to Your glory. Help us to lead the life You’ve assigned us today in ways that bring great glory to Your Name. Help us to trust You with tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day. Oh God, we pray for the spread of the gospel through our lives, as we’ve prayed about in Acts 20:24, consider our lives worth nothing to us.

If only we may finish the race. Complete the task that You’ve given to us, the task of testifying to the gospel of Your grace. Help us to steward singleness for the spread of the gospel for Your glory today. Help us to steward marriage for the spread of the gospel for Your glory today among all the nations.

A Prayer for the Ghosi Yadav People

We pray today as single and married brothers and sisters in Christ for the Ghosi Yadav people of India. We pray for 1.6 million of them who have little to no knowledge of the gospel. There are no known Christians among the Ghosi Yadav. God, please bring them into marriage with You. Bring them into the Bride of Christ, we pray. And help us to live in singleness and marriage toward that end, around us today and around the world, however You lead us all according to Your Word. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.