As I looked at the matter of singleness, it struck me that there are more
single men today than there were several years ago. Many are single
because of divorce or circumstances that have left them by themselves,
and others are single by choice. In looking at the state of those who are
married, you will find those whose marriages shine forth as a bright
light and you see a oneness that touches the heart. Many, however, have
lukewarm marriages that are held together by duty rather then by the love
of God. If there is nothing attractive about marriage, then why marry? Do
we dare to stay single?

Mormonism is one example of a false religion where marriage determines
the place of residence that you will have in heaven. Some Christians have
a similar mindset that is very dangerous: a belief that you cannot be
used of God if you are single. After a time of struggling with this
falsehood I felt moved to search the scriptures. After searching out the
histories of the men of the Old Testament and New Testament, I ran across
many who were single. Could they be used of God?

As I studied the lives of the saints who have gone before, I was amazed
at how they were used of God, and how many of God’s chosen warriors were
unmarried. Their track record spoke volumes.

Many of the prophets were not married, but the two who stood out were
Elijah and Elisha (Please refer to I Kings & II Kings). Elijah was a
Tishbite who came to set forth the righteous claims of God upon His
people. He performed many miracles seeking to turn Israel back to God. He
served God long and faithfully. In the end he did not see death, but was
transported by a whirlwind into the heavens.
        
Elisha was anointed by Elijah to be a prophet in his stead. He was filled
with wisdom by God, and asked to receive a double portion of Elijah’s
spirit. He witnessed the departure of Elijah and did many miracles.
Elisha’s life mission was one of grace and showed forth God’s power.
Neither men were married, but they served God and were used mightily.
        
Jeremiah and Daniel were both single men and they lived to serve God.
Many of the others who are spoken of as being servants and warriors of
God are not mentioned as being married or single. We may suppose that
Joshua was not married since he led the children of Israel in the
conquest of the land, but that is unrevealed.

In the New Testament, John the Baptist came and gave his life for the
cause of Christ. He left this world a single man. He was the voice sent
by God to prepare the way for the Savior (Please refer to John 1:6-8).
God used him in a very powerful way, a way that would at this present
time go against the grain of those who have a form of religion. His
message (given to him by God), calling men to repentance, is one that
still speaks to us all.

Jesus Christ was single not only in body, but in purpose, for He came to
reveal the Father. His express purpose was to fulfill the will of His
Father. He was the only sacrifice for sin, the perfect Lamb of God who
bore our sins in His body and laid down His life upon the cross and was
raised from the dead for our justification.

Several of the twelve apostles were not married, and they served the Lord
faithfully in spreading the Gospel. There is very little said about them,
and most of them were killed for the sake of Christ. The apostle Paul,
though he was not of the original twelve, is the one who stands out the
most, for he wrote by the leading of the Holy Spirit 14 epistles of the
New Testament (if we identify him as the author of Hebrews). Talk about
being used of God! Here was one who started out the chief of sinners
until he met Jesus. What wonderful life changing revelations were given
to the man whom God chose. Hopefully you are feeding upon those epistles
daily.
        
Timothy was, I believe, a single man. He, as a young pastor, served in
the church at Ephesus, and there are no indications that he was married.
He was persecuted for being young, which comes forth throughout Paul’s
letters to him. Paul encouraged him many times in this area. Timothy was
a man who was used mightily of God in the assembly and had traveled with
the apostle Paul spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

Nothing is impossible with God, and we do not need to be married to be
used of God. We are never to forbid a man to marry, but let him use
carefulness and seek the will of God in the matter.
        
The evidence of David Brainherd, Bruce E. Olson, and other missionaries
of the last 1,000 years should warm our hearts, for they gave their lives
to the Lord and worked alone in spreading the Gospel. Singleness may
limit you in some areas, but it will never overcome the power of God to
use you.

May we learn to be men of God no matter what state we are in. Whether
single or married, let us be encouraged by Paul, Elijah and many other
men of the Bible, who pressed on to serve the King of glory. Be devoted
to God and let no other philosophy deceive you, for all things work
together for good to those who love and pursue the Lord with all of their
heart. May we be gripped by His love and be known as men of God.  

M. H. G.

(Note: The historical facts were found in Halley’s Bible handbook that
was written back in 1927 & republished in 1965.)


E-Mail Matthew H Goins