Blair Humphreys

I only met him once. I was preaching at his church several years ago and he was leaning over the pa desk talking to a member of the church and as I walked past, I simply said hello. That was it. I didn’t really know him. Yet not only was he a Facebook friend but every day he would encourage me by responding to these devotional blogs. His comments and private messages revealed a single man who was devoted to the Lord. He had never married and he lived a celibate life. I know this because he told me. We talked about anything and everything. He loved reading the Bible and many books on the subject of the Spirit. If I actually bought every book he recommended to me I would have by now a separate Blair Humphrey’s library! He is now with the Lord. He passed away yesterday in a local hospice. I am sad but happy for him.

It seems apt to me that the verses today remind me very much of Blair.

It’s a long passage and I may look again at it tomorrow in more detail but for now let’s look at it from a birds-eye view. 

“Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs – how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world – how he can please his wife – and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world – how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honourably towards the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin – this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is – and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.”

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 NIVUK

A friend who is single and a missionary contacted me recently and told me of the many blessings a single life brings. I agreed. The Apostle Paul agreed. The single life is a blessed life. Why?

Paul says they are:-

• More able to focus on the “Lord’s affairs”.
• Not having to carry out responsibility to others and so dividing attention to the Lord.
• Less anxiety over certain issues.
• Happier! 

Now before you write in and say what do I know as I’m married or how dare I say singles are more happier than marrieds, just check what Paul wrote. He said those things! 

So let me also summarise what he said about married life:-

• Marriage is not a bad thing, it’s not sinful.
• If you are widowed you are free to remarry if you desire, but marry a Christian.
• Marriage is for life. 

However you read these verses (and they’re not preached very much in churches understandably because they’re difficult to read never mind comment on) they come from a Pastor who takes his responsibility for singles and marrieds seriously. His wisdom and quotations from Jesus are timeless. Whatever status you have the focus is the same for us all – to serve the Lord with undivided devotion. To daily walk with Jesus and unashamedly let the world know you are doing so. Something my Facebook friend certainly did. 

Enjoy heaven Blair!