“I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.” vs32-35

Marriage has a difficulty: how can we please God and our spouse? Therefore, it is better to be single, though marriage is good.

First, Paul shoots straight. He’s not on the worldly bandwagon. He sees man's true purpose as glorifying Christ, and this is hindered by marriage.

“I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife...

I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord...

Now I am saying this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but because of what is proper and so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.”

All of us, however, have been told that marriage is the ideal, and we get so much pressure. Singleness is the ideal, so long as we serve.

Many singles, however, are chasing marriage and missing Christ. They say, “I’ll serve God after I settle down,” but you will not. Serve Him now with a pure heart by faith. Serve Him undivided by cares, and then maybe you’ll serve Him well in marriage too.

Secondly, marriage is difficult because of the distraction and difficulty. We can’t just serve God singularly. “But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, and his interests are divided.The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband.”

We may have an unruly spouse and much trouble in the flesh. Unsaved children will be born, and there are a lot of hardships when two sinful saints dwell together, though it can be bliss.

Prepare yourself in marriage to SERVE THE OTHER PERSON! Make sure that they are happy, as much as possible, and please them. Do not be selfish and dishonor the gospel of a generous Christ.

Thirdly, whether single, rich, or poor, give God everything.

“What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing; and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.” vs29-31

We waste our life holding back. Give it to Him, lay it down for Him, and you will gain.

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” --Matt 16:25

Many true believers are chasing the world, while holding onto Christ, and being torn to pieces, as your flesh wars against the Spirit. You're not getting the power to overcome.

They expect peace by serving themselves, and it will never happen. Give all to Christ by the Spirit, walk in forgiveness, and God will give you pleasure in obedience.

In the beginning, Satan told Adam it was better to disobey - that he’d be like God, knowing good and evil, deciding for himself what is right. But, man was plunged into sin.

It hasn’t changed. The Devil is still saying, “Serving Christ will cost you. People will persecute you. You are justified by faith, sanctified positionally, and guaranteed heaven… so why go through the trouble of self denial? Watch a little porn. Enjoy movies that are in the flesh. Go out and sin a little with your friends. After all, you are not under law, and you don’t want to be too religious. Be the cool Christians your friends laugh with, (though you’ll never bring them to Christ.)” He wants our light to stop shining, and he is subtle.

Paul says wage a frontal attack on the kingdom of darkness. If you have money, serve Christ. If you’re poor, quit worrying and serve your Redeemer. Whether you have a wife or not, give your entire being to the gospel!

This is how we enjoy pleasure - by the Spirit, doing God’s will, leaning upon the blood of Christ.