For Christians, none of us will remain single forever. Did you know that? Revelation 19:6-8 says this:

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure.”

The church has a bridegroom, and he’s far better than any human being on earth. We’re to prepare ourselves not for an earthly spouse, but for an eternal bridegroom. We’re to be fully devoted to the eternal marriage that will be fully realized one day in heaven.

Loneliness can plague single Christians, but can I just be really honest with you: loneliness can also plague married people. One thing that I think is worse than being single and wishing you were married is being married and wishing you were single. That opens up a whole new batch of issues.

Marriage will not bring you contentment. Singleness will not bring you contentment. Only Christ and the absolute love and satisfaction He brings will give us lasting contentment. This doesn’t mean we can’t desire marriage, or that we shouldn’t, it means there’s more to desire in Christ!

It’s easy to obsess over what we do not have, whether it be marriage or even singleness. It’s part of the human condition to desire to rule our own lives, and gain whatever we think will bring us happiness and contentment. But we have submitted to the loving rule of our Creator. He knows what is best, and is working all things out for the good of those who love Him.

Here’s the question: do you believe that, truly? If God is sovereign over marriage and singleness, then he can be trusted to do what is best for us.

 

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This is an excerpt from a message given on April 10th, 2016 at Raintree Community Church. The text was 1 Corinthians 7:17-35. The message can be heard or read by clicking HERE.