Some years ago, while preparing an adult Sunday School lesson from the book, Good News For Single Folk, by Dr. Jeremiah Wright, the Holy Spirit spoke to me. It seemed as though I was being hindered from developing my outline because I was starting from the wrong premise. As I poised my pen to cross out yet another sentence for the umpteenth time, I paused. Suddenly, my spirit sensed someone calling my name. In a whisper I said, ‘Speak Lord.’ Immediately, He led me to Luke 19:10:
| “…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” |
With trepidation, I asked the Holy Spirit what exactly was it that was lost and how does it apply to singles. Again, He led me to read more scriptures from Genesis 3:21-24. There we find all of the provisions and disciplines God administered to ‘fallen’ mankind.
| The Genesis scriptures reminded me…
· We were now to be clothed in garments of skin because we had lost our glorified bodies. |
God reminds us…”For [you] know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:28, 29, 30 |
| · We now knew good from evil thus we lost our innocence. Therefore, we have no excuse. | “Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?” Job 4:7 |
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· Our minds became befuddled and we didn’t know what was good for us. In other words, we lost our freedom of choice. |
“You did not choose me, but I chose you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command…Love each other!” John 15:16, 17 |
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· Death was ushered in and we lost eternal life. |
“To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.” Romans 2:7 |
| · We were banished from the Garden and lost our eternal home and all the luxuries that went with it. | “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:2, 3 |
| · And finally, because of the Guardian Angels with the flaming swords, we lost easy access to the Way. God placed stumbling blocks in our paths. | “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 |
Once again, I humbled myself and asked the Lord what does this have to do with singles? God said to me, “Tell the class that because of the acts of the first couple, (Adam and Eve), the sanctity of marriage was also abridged. Divorce and unfaithfulness were imminent. But the Good News is Jesus Christ! He is the Bridegroom who would never be unfaithful to his God nor to his bride.”
So, in his communion time with me, Jesus put forth this proposition in a still small voice…’Since married couples are considered single in my Father’s eyes (and the two shall be one), and single people are already single, tell everybody in your Sunday School class to marry Me! Let’s elope before you have time to get lost again.’
| Scripture Reference: Advantages to being Single
1 Corinthians 7:32–35 “I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.”
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Conversations With God Using Scripture 