Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join James, a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life's biggest questions and helps us find God's solutions to life's struggles. Learn the power of living by God's grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are on a search for freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.
Single or Married? How to Live Fully with Gospel Wisdom
ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE
Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!
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Episode 2, wisdom for Marriage and Singleness Series. Wisdom for Every Relationship. Hi, friends, and welcome back to Lessons for Life with James Long Jr. I'm so glad you're here. We're continuing our series called Wisdom for Every Relationship, where we're exploring what it looks like to live with gospel-centered wisdom in every relationship God gives us. Today's topic touches every one of us, whether you're married, single, dating, engaged or walking with someone who is. We're talking about wisdom for marriage and singleness. Let's dive in.
Speaker 1:Few areas of life stir deeper longing or deeper struggles than marriage and singleness. For some, marriage feels like a source of great joy. For others it's a source of pain. For some, singleness feels freeing. For others it feels like loneliness. Our culture often swings between two extremes idolizing romantic relationships and marriage as the ultimate fulfillment, or dismissing relationships altogether in pursuit of independence. But scripture paints a different picture. God honors both marriage and singleness. He dignifies both callings and, most importantly, he calls us to live wisely. Whatever the season we're in, and whether you're navigating life with a spouse longing for marriage or finding contentment in singleness, god's wisdom has powerful truths to guide your steps.
Speaker 1:Let's ground ourselves in a few key scriptures. Proverbs 9, verse 10 says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. In other words, true wisdom, whether in marriage or singleness, begins not with our desires but with reverence for God. Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 4, says this Let marriage be held with honor among all and let the marriage bed be undefiled. And in 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, it speaks to singleness with great dignity. It says the unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord. How to please the Lord? Both seasons married and single are gifts to steward, not statuses to idolize.
Speaker 1:First, wisdom in marriage Marriage is a covenant, a lifelong commitment designed to reflect Christ's love for his people. But marriage is not about finding someone to complete you. Only Christ can do that. Ephesians chapter 5 tells us that marriage is a picture of Christ and his church. It's about serving, sacrificing and sanctifying one another through love. Serving, sacrificing and sanctifying one another through love. Practically speaking, wisdom in marriage looks like prioritizing open and humble communication, practicing daily forgiveness and grace, choosing faithfulness over feelings, pursuing emotional and spiritual intimacy intentionally, not just physically or circumstantially. Marriage is not about demanding from your spouse only what God can provide. It's about being a vessel of Christ's love and patience to one another Second wisdom for singleness Singleness is not second best.
Speaker 1:It's not a waiting room for life to start. It's a season, and for some, a calling, designed for undivided devotion to Christ. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, that a single person can focus more fully on the things of the Lord. That's not a lesser life. Actually, that's a beautiful invitation. If you're single today, hear me, your identity is not based on a relationship status. It's rooted in Christ alone. Your calling is not delayed. You can actually live boldly, purposefully and fruitfully right now. Your value is not incomplete. You're fully loved, fully called and fully equipped in Christ. And if you have a desire for marriage one day, steward this season wisely, grow in emotional maturity, serve the Lord fully and build friendships that stretch your character and deepen your roots in Christ.
Speaker 1:Now let me paint a simple picture. Imagine two people. One believes that marriage will solve all their loneliness, insecurities and discontentment. The other one believes that Christ alone is their security and that marriage, if it comes, will be a calling to serve, not simply to receive. Now, which one do you think will be a calling to serve, not simply to receive? Now, which one do you think will build a healthier relationship, and which one do you think will walk in more wisdom, joy and peace? Wisdom doesn't deny desires, but it refuses to let those desires rule the heart, and that's true whether you're married or single.
Speaker 1:Now let's reflect for a moment. Are you treating your current season, married or single, as a gift to steward or a burden to bear? Are you looking to another human to fill what only God can satisfy? Are you growing in emotional, spiritual and relational wisdom, regardless of your relationship status? Spiritual and relational wisdom, regardless of your relationship status. Wisdom invites us to grow now, not later. To honor God now, not someday. To love well now, not only when the circumstances feel ideal.
Speaker 1:Now, this week, I want to encourage you If you're married, take one intentional step to build your spouse up in love, whether it's through prayer, encouragement or simple attentive presence. Now, if you're single, I want you to take one intentional step towards deeper devotion and community, whether through serving, mentoring or cultivating relationships in Christ. Don't wait for life to feel ideal. Wisdom calls you to live fully for Christ in the season that you're in. If you'd like to grow deeper in these gospel-centered relationships, I invite you to join our community at communityjameslongjrorg. That's communityjameslongjrorg, and if you'd like to learn more about the different membership levels and all the resources available, you can visit jameslongjrorg slash. Sign up now. We would love to walk alongside you as you pursue wisdom in every season on your relationships.
Speaker 1:Let me pray for you, father. Thank you for designing both marriage and singleness as a beautiful gift to glorify you. Father, thank you for designing both marriage and singleness as a beautiful gift to glorify you. Teach us to walk wisely, whether we're serving a spouse, growing friendships or preparing our hearts to serve your purposes. Help us to love you with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and in every season, may we trust your goodness and timing. In Jesus' matchless name, we pray Amen. Thank you for joining me today. I look forward to continuing this journey with you next time as we explore wisdom for friendships and boundaries. Be blessed everyone. Take care.
