Single Yet Married

Chapter 2

How does the Lord look upon the daughters of Zion? I think it has been established that His heart is tender towards them. He has made provisions for them in His tempering of the Body of Christ. But a more daunting question would be, “How do the daughters of Zion look upon their new Master?”

It is profitable for us to understand the truth rather than to formulate opinions that do not reflect the mind of God. Since marriage is a monumental issue in the Body of Christ, it is necessary to deal thoroughly with its place in the lives of the sons.

There are so many single women in the Body of Christ. Some are single because they have never been married. There are also those whose husbands have moved on to start new families, or simply left to live the lifestyle of single men. Nevertheless, the Church is full of women who desire to be married. But the truth is there are far more single women in the household of faith than there are single men. Therefore, the odds are that most of them will never marry in the faith. For this cause, many have sought marriage outside the Body of Christ.

What is the mind of God in this matter? Is there a biblical remedy for this situation?

1 Corinthians 7:34-35

34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

I have taught this passage many times in the past, but today I see more clearly the mind of the Lord. However, I am not sure many will be able to receive this truth. Nevertheless, it must be spoken.

Please open your heart to hear the heart of the Father. The Body of Christ is His creation. Those who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. If any man be in Christ he is a new creation. If any woman be in Christ she is a new creature. All new creatures are the same. They are the sons of the living God.

1 John 3:1-2

1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

The sons are citizens of the Kingdom of God. They are in the world, but they are not of the world. Marriage is an institution of the world. That is why the apostle says a married woman cares for the things of the world, and how she may please her husband. However, the unmarried woman concerns herself only with those things that please the Father.

1 Corinthians 7:8-9

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

As you can see, the Lord knows the mind and heart of His creation. Therefore, He has made provisions for the dispositions of His daughters. Hence, I think it is even more profitable for us to delve a little bit deeper into His eternal heart.

YOUNG MAIDS AND WIDOWS

1 Timothy 5:9

9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,

Paul advises his pastors not to number the widows less than sixty years of age among the “widows indeed.” These “widows indeed” are women whose husband passed away, but they never remarried; instead they made themselves useful in the Church. Therefore, the church supported them. They kept themselves holy before the Lord in spirit and in body.

1 Timothy 5:11-12

11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;

12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.

Let us be very clear as to the intent of the apostle here. The term, refuse simply means not to number them with those who have proven themselves to be “widows indeed.” They are young, thus the phrase, “wax wanton against Christ” simply means they would soon become impatient and weary of the restraints of Christ on the flesh.

Paul wisely suggests that because of their youth and a mind that has not been subdued by the trials of marriage or the weariness of old age, it is quite possible they will desire to remarry. Therefore, for this cause, he further suggests that they not be added to the class of “widows indeed”, which if they were and one decided to remarry, it could undermine the teachings of contentment in Christ.

We must also hear the heart of the apostle in the use of the term, “having damnation.” The meaning here is that they might experience feelings of condemnation and guilt from having been accepted in the order of widows indeed; thus being supported by the church and having the chance to live solely unto the Lord, but instead made the decision to remarry. The apostle seeks to spare these young women of such feelings.

Now we come to the boldest phrase of all, “because they have cast off their first faith.” This, however, does not mean they have fallen away from the faith, or have backslidden. Because if they were classified as “widows indeed”, for them to remarry would show that they were weak in the faith, not quite dead to the world and void of complete dependence on their fellowship with God to fill the void now in their life. The apostle and our Father God, recognize these strong desires and gives way to them. In the institution of marriage, God allows flesh to be gratified. Therefore, let them remarry if they so desire is the consensus. In such cases, there is no sin.

1 Timothy 5:13-15

13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

These same principles apply to all young women in the Body of Christ. Some of them will find solace in serving the Master and will overcome the desire for marriage. However, there are many who will not be as strong in their faith. These are not to be condemned for the decision they make, but are instructed to count the cost of such a decision.