THERE are different types of singles: there are those who are single and are still hopeful that God willing one day they will get married.
There are those who are Single by Choice like the Roman Catholic priests and nuns.  They have made a commitment to God; they have decided that they will remain single as long as they live, so as to devote more time to the spreading of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then, there is another group of singles.  These are the ones who were once married but unfortunately, things did not work out as they expected and so they ended up in divorce.  At the point of marriage they were very optimistic that their marriage would be a happy one.
Sad to mention that, we are all very much aware that many marriages everywhere are ending up in divorce.
Some landed in divorce not because they wanted to, but due to circumstances beyond their control they failed to hold on to the sinking marriage, and so they landed in the sea of divorce.
There is another group of singles.  These were once married and had happy marriages.  They raised beautiful families, and ended up being very successful in life, but time came when death knocked at the door of their marriage.
Today, the remaining spouses are single.  They are widows and widowers.  All singles need to develop an optimistic spirit.  The Bible puts it very clearly, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Single persons face unique challenges in life, and this is the reason they need to maintain a positive attitude to life.
Singles should recognise the dignity of being single.  The apostle recognised this dignity when he wrote, “I wish that all men were as I am.  But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, and another that.”
The apostle Paul was single as he wrote to the Corinthian Church.  He called singleness as one of God’s Gifts.
So, if you are single, remember it is one of God’s gifts to man.  Singles should be treated with same respect as married couples.  The real source of joy is not being married, but relationship with God.
Thorns of singleness
Life is like a rose bush having both thorns and roses.  Marriage has both and singleness has both.
The thorns of singleness are; loneliness, lack of sexual satisfaction, and society’s frown on single status.
In many societies singles are treated with suspicion, they are not respected.  Many think that singles are promiscuous in nature.
While this may be true to some, the majority are faithful people, faithful Christians who love the Lord.
Sex before marriage is a real problem for many unmarried people.  We see this on films as they paint a picture that this is normal.
How many of our young people in colleges and universities are doing it?  It is very shameful.
Roses of Singleness
The roses of being single are: Control of one’s time, freedom of movement, control of one’s income.
The singles control their own destiny, while the married couple have to constantly consult their partners when they want to do anything, but for the singles it is not so.
Singles have freedom to attain a career of their choice and they are free to set up goals that meet their aspirations.
Therefore, singles should count their blessings and thank the Lord.
“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
As believers in Christ Jesus, we need to cultivate a thankful disposition.
All singles should understand that God loves them just as He loves the married couples.
The prophet Isaiah put it very clearly when he wrote, “Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for your life.”  Marriage does not enhance your value.
In the same manner, singleness doe not devalue your worth.  So you are special before the God of heaven.  Therefore, singles are equally precious in God’s sight  and equally valuable to society.
Singles Who blessed the World
The following singles blessed this world, Florence Nightingale – Founder of modern nursing; Sir Isaac Newton – Mathematician and Physicist; Evangeline Croy Booth – Female General in Salvation Army; Ludwig Von Beethoven – German Composer and Musician; Marian Anderson – Great American Contralto.
You too, can do something which would bless this world just as you are a single person.
Outstanding Biblical Singles:
The Bible records names of men and women who were outstanding singles in the propagation of the Gospel.
The following stand out very clearly: The Apostle Paul – The greatest Theologian; Dorcas – The historic social worker; Jesus Christ – Our Lord and Saviour.
Financial Independence:
It is very important that all singles, especially women should be financially independent to avoid being involved in questionable behaviours like immorality.
The apostle Paul gave the following advice to the members of the Thessalonian’ Church,  “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you.
So that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”  Why is this important?  Singles who are not economically independent become vulnerable.
To be independent means that one should get some skill, this should be academic or technical.
This will empower singles to live successfully.  So please dear singles get an empowering education.
To the unmarried parents
There may be some singles who somehow have become parents in one way or another, my suggestion is follow Jesus.  Get married if possible and if desirable.
End your present relationship if marriage is not desirable.  Work to support yourself and your children.
Do your part and the Lord will do His part.   Learn to handle sexual desires wisely and resist being involved in sexual immorality.
“Submit yourselves then, to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and He will come near to you.” Ellen G White had this to say to all of us; “Thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.”
Explosive spiritual success equation
You may be asking, how can this happen?  Well here is the Explosive spiritual success equation: Human will + divine power = spiritual victory.  You choose + you pray = you can.  Channel your energy in a different direction this will bring positive emotional satisfaction.  This was the experience of Dorcas.
“In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated, is Dorcas, who was always doing good and helping the poor.”
Dorcas was a single woman.  She was full of  good works, helping the poor and was well know for her work. You too, can emulate this Christian woman.
Make Christ your constant companion
“For your maker is your husband – the lord Almighty is His name –the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer.”  Take quiet time with Jesus.
Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus was single lady who lived at Bethany with her brother Lazarus.
Unfortunately, a man named Simon the Pharisee led her into adultery.
She moved to Magdala, there she became Mary Magdalene.
She became addicted to immorality.  Satan made her his slave.  Her mind and body became the house of demons.
Mary Magdalene
She became bitter, sour and miserable.  Thank God, one day Jesus came to Magdala and the battle in Mary’s life began.  One by one the demons left her, and Christ gained victory.
“The 12 were with Him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases; Mary called Magdalene from whom seven demons had come out.”
Mary took seven steps from the pit of sin.  She took seven steps from the pit of failure to the pinnacle of success.  You too can do the same.
Mary sacrificed for Jesus.  “And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured [it] on his head.”
She gave her life to Jesus. Singles, you too can give your lives to Jesus.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”
A new Mary came forth from the old when she accepted Jesus.  Mary became a new person, From sinner to believer.
She now served a new master, from Satan to Jesus.  She got a new name, from prostitute to disciple.  What Christ did and for Mary He can do for you and Me.
Mary poured out her love for Jesus.  “And as she stood behind him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears.”
This was heartfelf love.  This was done as she remembered her horrible past life.  She was thankful for the transformed life.
Jesus brought a marvelous change in her life.  She could no longer hold back her tears.  She washed His dusty feet with her tears, and dried them with her hair.
Are you thankful for what Christ has done for you?  No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.
Mary sacrificed for Jesus.  “And while He was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper; a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard.  She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.”
Mary prepared a very expensive perfume for Jesus.  She anointed Christ before His death.  “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.”
Stand up for Jesus all you singles.  Marry did this that Good Friday.  When they crucified Jesus on the Cross, Mary was there.  She stood for Jesus.  Many of the disciples had run away, But Mary was there.
Mary kept the Sabbath.  While Christ rested in the tomb, Mary also rested on the Sabbath.  “And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” Singles, how do you keep the Sabbath?  Mary has left an example for us, she rested on the Sabbath.
Mary was committed even on the resurrection morning she was there at the tomb.  “Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? whom are you seeking?
She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, Sir, if you have carried Him away , tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.
Jesus said to her, Mary. She turned and said to him, Rabbi; which is to say, master.  Jesus said to her, do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brethren, and say to them, I am ascending to my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God.  John 20:15, 16.  Singles you are very special in the Church.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Mary never gave up on Jesus.  She followed all the way.  You are on the honored list of Jesus.  “Jesus said to her, touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say to them, I am ascending to my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.”
Before Jesus ascended to His Father, Jesus waited to see Mary Magdalene – a transformed sinner.  Before the Father greeted Him, Mary greeted Him.
Mary was the first person to worship Christ before the angels worshipped him, Mary adored Him.
She was the first human being to see the risen Saviour.  She was single.
When we follow Jesus to touch our lives, whether we are single or married, male or female, Christ will honour us.
Christ will give you Success in this world and in the world to come. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you a crown of life.”
Yes our song should be “My Jesus I love Thee.”.  “Glorious is the triumph awaiting the faithful.
The apostle, realising the possibilities before the Corinthian believers, sought to set before them that which uplifts from the selfish and the sensual, and glorifies life with the hope of immortality.
Earnestly he exhorted them to be true to their high calling in Christ.
“My beloved brethren,” he pleaded, “be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
As did Nathan with David, Christ concealed His home thrust under the veil of a parable. He threw upon His host the burden of pronouncing sentence upon himself. Simon had led into sin the woman he now despised.
She had been deeply wronged by him. By the two debtors of the parable, Simon and the woman were represented.
Jesus did not design to teach that different degrees of obligation should be felt by the two persons, for each owed a debt of gratitude that never could be repaid.
But Simon felt himself more righteous than Mary, and Jesus desired him to see how great his guilt really was.
He would show him that his sin was greater than hers, as much greater as a debt of 500 pence exceeds a debt of 50 pence.