With Valentines Day not too long ago, I thought Josh Storie's sermon on singleness was very fitting and worthy of a conversation via blog post. In 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 we hear Paul's opinion regarding sexual temptation. He acknowledges that sexual temptation is real and it's strong. Marriage is an outlet for this. Then in verse 8 he explains how single people should stay that way, unless they're burning with passion. Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire anyone?
But something we ask ourselves is: why? Why should we not seek out a partner? Paul tells us that he wants to spare us from the problems that married people face. He points to the idea that two people who are sinners together in one house causes conflict. You not only deal with your own sin, but also another persons sin. Paul wants to spare us from that. In verse 32 he says "But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord-how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world-how he may please his wife..."
The first benefit of being single that Josh described is that singles have the ability to be carefree and free of anxieties. Paul talks about how he wants this kind of life for us. During this season of our lives we can give and serve and travel and invest in people...the list goes on and on. The second benefit is that single people have the luxury of undivided interest. Single people have one focus: the Lord, but married people don't have that option. With another person, your interests become a little more divided. Being undivided in your pursuit of the Lord is such a blessing and a season of life that should be cherished, because for most people it is only temporary.
So, how do we not waste our time as single people? Give yourself away. We have the time to do it. So now is the time. Give. Invest in people. Serve in the Church until you just wear yourself out. Take risks. My friend Emily's Instagram bio puts it beautifully, "Don't let dreams, be dreams." Be open to the Spirit leading you to focus somewhere crazy.
Another striking point that Josh mentioned is to "use this season of singleness to put sin to death." Put what you're struggling with right now to death, now. Don't look for a relationship to complete you, the other person is always going to fail you in one way or another. Kick your sin habits before you enter into marriage. Desiring marriage isn't something that is sinful or wrong, God created marriage, but don't waste your season of being single. God wants to use you in ways He'll never be able to use you ever again once you are no longer single.
Now imagine if you actually did all this, how amazing the season would be...
Courtney
Monday, February 23, 2015
Monday, February 16, 2015
The Finish Line
What is the nature of this Christian race? Let's turn to Acts 9:15-16... Luke is describing Paul's call in this passage. Jesus is talking about how Paul is an instrument specifically chosen by God to go proclaim the name of Jesus to those outside of God's people and to those who have been longing for the Messiah. He also gets to go proclaim the name of Jesus to Kings. How awesome is that?! Jesus then goes on to say that there will be suffering involved and that it's going to be difficult, a road marked with pain and suffering.
There is an aspect of Paul's call that is Universal: following Jesus is never free from suffering (James 1:2 tells us that knowing the testing of our faith produces patience). We can't deny the fact that the nature of Christianity doesn't come with some kind of suffering. But quitting because of suffering is a lame excuse in my opinion. When we lay our "yes" down, we know it's going to be difficult. In other words, when we give our lives over to Christ, we know what's in store for our lives.
So, why would we want to be involved in this Christianity thing if we know that suffering is a guarenteed aspect? Well, because it's worth it. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 says, "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." Now what a beautiful promise this is to us as Christ followers! There is a crown of righteousness awaiting us. This is why we endure and why we strive to finish the race. This crown is the fullness of Christ's righteousness, bought for us on the Cross.
As a Believer you are counted as righteous. But, we still live in a sinful world and we aren't actually righteous. That's how we can love Jesus and still fall into our worst habits. We all face this, often times I find myself facing this on a daily basis. We will eventually cross that line where our sin no longer separates us from God. And what a glory filled day that will be. So again, why should we strive to finish this race called "life"? Because, Jesus is at the finish line. He clothed us in righteousness and experienced a world free from sin. How awesome will it be to look at our Savior in the face without guilt and shame? Just let that image and feeling for you specifically soak in. It will be perfect. Think of the most joy you have ever felt in your life this far, and then imagine what it will be like to stand in front of your Savior at the finish line.
This is a race worth finishing and enduring. At the finish line Jesus brings restoration and healing. Endure, Courtney
There is an aspect of Paul's call that is Universal: following Jesus is never free from suffering (James 1:2 tells us that knowing the testing of our faith produces patience). We can't deny the fact that the nature of Christianity doesn't come with some kind of suffering. But quitting because of suffering is a lame excuse in my opinion. When we lay our "yes" down, we know it's going to be difficult. In other words, when we give our lives over to Christ, we know what's in store for our lives.
So, why would we want to be involved in this Christianity thing if we know that suffering is a guarenteed aspect? Well, because it's worth it. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 says, "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing." Now what a beautiful promise this is to us as Christ followers! There is a crown of righteousness awaiting us. This is why we endure and why we strive to finish the race. This crown is the fullness of Christ's righteousness, bought for us on the Cross.
As a Believer you are counted as righteous. But, we still live in a sinful world and we aren't actually righteous. That's how we can love Jesus and still fall into our worst habits. We all face this, often times I find myself facing this on a daily basis. We will eventually cross that line where our sin no longer separates us from God. And what a glory filled day that will be. So again, why should we strive to finish this race called "life"? Because, Jesus is at the finish line. He clothed us in righteousness and experienced a world free from sin. How awesome will it be to look at our Savior in the face without guilt and shame? Just let that image and feeling for you specifically soak in. It will be perfect. Think of the most joy you have ever felt in your life this far, and then imagine what it will be like to stand in front of your Savior at the finish line.
This is a race worth finishing and enduring. At the finish line Jesus brings restoration and healing. Endure, Courtney
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