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The Gift Of Singleness

The Gift Of Singleness. 1 Corinthians 7:7. What is this “gift”?. The traditional view:.

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The Gift Of Singleness

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  1. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • The traditional view: A God-given, supernatural empowerment to live as a single person without the endless frustration that comes from not being married; to be single and enjoy it; to be single and not suffer from sexual temptations. “The ability to joyfully embrace singleness as a lifetime commitment is a gift of God given to some but not to others.”

  2. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? Commonly used to refer to spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12). “Gift “ charisma “Paul’s ideal is the entire self-mastery as to the sexual life and freedom from temptation in this regard… This self-control and self-mastery is the charismatic gift which Paul had from God. God grants many charismatic gifts to his church, but he distributes them, ‘dividing to each one severally even as he will,’ 1 Cor. 12:11. None of these gifts is intended for all Christians.” R.C.H. Lenski Because this word refers to divine, supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor. 12 it is assumed that this is how it is also to be understood in 1 Cor. 7:7.

  3. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • This is not speaking of some kind of spiritual gift. • It is a mistake to consider singleness as being some kind of gift of the Holy Spirit like the spiritual gifts in 1 Cor. 12.

  4. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • The proper view: Any number of blessings God has given to us. “Gift “ charisma “The gift of God is eternal life.” (Rom. 6:23). A gift that is given which we simply receive and accept.

  5. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • The proper view: • The gifts in 1 Cor. 12 are functional gifts. • The gift of being single is not a functional gift.

  6. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • The proper view: • Being single or being married are equal gifts. • Paul is describing an objective status. • If you are single, you have the gift of singleness. • If you are married, you do not have the gift of singleness.

  7. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • The proper view: • Being single or being married are equal gifts. • Paul is describing an objective status. • If you choose to marry, you simply exchange the gift of singleness for the gift of marriedness. • Either of these two statuses are good.

  8. For I wish that all were as myself [single]. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner [single] and another in that [married]. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • The proper view:

  9. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • The practical help this understanding gives. • There are many single people who deny they have the gift of singleness – they misunderstand what this gift is. • Once it is correctly understood that this is speaking of an objective status, then it becomes easier to acknowledge and accept this gift. • The gift of singleness may be exchanged for the gift of marriedness.

  10. The Gift Of Singleness 1 Corinthians 7:7 What is this “gift”? • The practical help this understanding gives. • Be content where you are right now, whether single or married. • Whether single or married, be a good steward of the gift you have. • In any status of life, your ultimate concern should be serving and honoring God (1 Cor. 7:17-24).

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