The Christian Single Woman's Husband?

Yes, even as a Christian single woman you have a husband because you are the bride of Christ! Don’t take my word for it, the Bible clearly states this fact.

“For your Maker is your husband - the LORD Almighty is his name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.” - Isaiah 54:5 NIV

I remember the first time I learned of this truth several years ago in a women’s Bible study. I recently heard a similar lesson in another women’s Bible study entitled Here Comes the Bride. Since both lessons were such a blessing to me, I wanted to share some additional truths I learned after doing a bit more research on this concept.

The Story of the Wedding Banquet (The Message)
There are two parables in the Bible that talk about being ready for your bridegroom and both are found in Matthew. The first parable is found in Matthew 22:1-14 and it likens the Kingdom of God to a wedding.

1-3 Jesus responded by telling still more stories. "God's kingdom," he said, "is like a king who threw a wedding banquet for his son. He sent out servants to call in all the invited guests. And they wouldn't come!

4"He sent out another round of servants, instructing them to tell the guests, 'Look, everything is on the table, the prime rib is ready for carving. Come to the feast!'

5-7"They only shrugged their shoulders and went off, one to weed his garden, another to work in his shop. The rest, with nothing better to do, beat up on the messengers and then killed them. The king was outraged and sent his soldiers to destroy those thugs and level their city.

8-10"Then he told his servants, 'We have a wedding banquet all prepared but no guests. The ones I invited weren't up to it. Go out into the busiest intersections in town and invite anyone you find to the banquet.' The servants went out on the streets and rounded up everyone they laid eyes on, good and bad, regardless. And so the banquet was on—every place filled.

11-13"When the king entered and looked over the scene, he spotted a man who wasn't properly dressed. He said to him, 'Friend, how dare you come in here looking like that!' The man was speechless. Then the king told his servants, 'Get him out of here—fast. Tie him up and ship him to hell. And make sure he doesn't get back in.'

14"That's what I mean when I say, 'Many get invited; only a few make it.'"

After reading this passage of scripture, you may be wondering why I chose to include it here but the truth of the matter is it illustrates that it is imperative that we are fully committed to Christ.

Matthew Henry’s commentary on this passage summarizes this way, “Many are called to the wedding-feast, that is, to salvation, but few have the wedding-garment, the righteousness of Christ and the sanctification of the Spirit.” While we are saved by grace, we must also ensure we accept the gift and possess a heart for God and His people.

The Story of the Virgins (The Message)
The second parable is found in Matthew 25:1-13 and though it is commonly known as the Parable of the Ten Virgins, it provides a critical look at the preparation required for our bridegroom.

1-5 "God's kingdom is like ten young virgins who took oil lamps and went out to greet the bridegroom. Five were silly and five were smart. The silly virgins took lamps, but no extra oil. The smart virgins took jars of oil to feed their lamps. The bridegroom didn't show up when they expected him, and they all fell asleep.

6"In the middle of the night someone yelled out, 'He's here! The bridegroom's here! Go out and greet him!'

7-8"The ten virgins got up and got their lamps ready. The silly virgins said to the smart ones, 'Our lamps are going out; lend us some of your oil.'

9"They answered, 'There might not be enough to go around; go buy your own.'

10"They did, but while they were out buying oil, the bridegroom arrived. When everyone who was there to greet him had gone into the wedding feast, the door was locked.

11"Much later, the other virgins, the silly ones, showed up and knocked on the door, saying, 'Master, we're here. Let us in.' 12"He answered, 'Do I know you? I don't think I know you.' 13"So stay alert. You have no idea when he might arrive.

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Tip: Keep your lamps trimmed and burning.

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This parable suggests that we must be ready to receive the bridegroom. Again, Matthew Henry summarizes this passage by simply stating that only those who prepare for heaven here on earth will actually make it there. We must accept Christ’s gift of salvation, seek Him with our whole heart and live for Him daily here on earth. Christ is coming back for His church, will you be ready? As Christian women, we can exhibit our preparation by our righteous acts.

While it’s natural that we think of preparing for our earthly husband, both of these parables reveal how critical it is that the Christian single woman be sure to please the husband she has right now (Jesus Christ). Though you are single by the world’s standards, don’t forget you have been first promised to Christ (your spiritual husband).

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” - 2 Corinthians 11:2 NIV

Despite your feelings or struggles in your singleness, know that God loves you more than you will ever know and He desires to have a relationship with you.

Are you cultivating your relationship with your current bridegroom?

Singleness got you down?

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