Contentment in singlehood

[Lynx]

The internet is dead, especially social media.

So you are here on an internet forum because you enjoy lost causes?

 

[Lanolin]

Lynx is way more patient than I am plus he put up with me.

We have one resident sourpuss, and one resident malcontent, battling it out on CC folks! Enjoy the side show that's gone on for 24 pages.

 

[RodColeman]

I don't, you said earthly marriage reflects marriage with Jesus, didn't you?

Then what did you mean by people who "equate earthly marriage with heavenly marriage"? I said earthly marriage reflects our relationship with Jesus, yes. Jesus is called the bridegroom, while the church is called the bride, to use an analogy that Paul used.

God offers eternal salvation, not eternal spouse for eternal conjugation.

OK? I never said God offers anyone "eternal conjugation," lol.

I think your marriage is inevitable to fail if you only get married for the sake of getting married, to check the box and get the milestone crossed.

Sure, maybe. But that doesn't mean every married couple gets married for that reason.

 

[Lovette]

So you are here on an internet forum because you enjoy lost causes?

Are you alive and human? So am I. Are you still here, presumptuously talking to human? So am I.

 

[Lovette]

Then what did you mean by people who "equate earthly marriage with heavenly marriage"? I said earthly marriage reflects our relationship with Jesus, yes. Jesus is called the bridegroom, while the church is called the bride, to use an analogy that Paul used.

Is this relationship to be consummated in intimacy by design? Not spiritually or allegorically, but bodily and sexually? That's for earthly marriage only. Ancient nuns and priests understood marriage with Jesus took a vow of celibacy, that was like the polar opposite.

OK? I never said God offers anyone "eternal conjugation," lol.

Then stop spiritualizing marriage in that way.

Sure, maybe. But that doesn't mean every married couple gets married for that reason.

Then why and how do you desire marriage, when you have nobody?

 

[RodColeman]

Is this relationship to be consummated in intimacy by design? Not spiritually or allegorically, but bodily and sexually? That's for earthly marriage only. Ancient nuns and priests understood marriage with Jesus took a vow of celibacy, that was like the polar opposite.

Um, yes, earthly marriage and our relationship with Jesus are different in some ways. And? So what? My relationship with Jesus is also different from having a platonic friendship with a fellow human. Does that mean i should never form platonic friendships with other humans?

Also, in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, when Paul discusses the qualifications for elders/deacons, he writes that these people must be the husband of "one wife," probably meaning that they must be committed to their wife if they are married. Now, some think this requirement excludes single men from church leadership. But if that were really Paul’s intent, then he would have disqualified himself, since he was single. Or, he was probably single at the time he wrote these epistles. If Paul was married at the time that he wrote these other epistles, well, then he wasn't single or celibate.

You also mention that ancient nuns and priests took vows of celibacy. Does the Bible teach that these people have to be celibate? Well, that's an interesting question to answer, because the Bible doesn't even teach that there are supposed to to be “priests” in the New Covenant that Jesus set up. The Bible teaches that all believers are members of a holy and royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2:5-9) When Jesus died, the temple veil was torn in two, so there was no need for an earthly priesthood. In the new covenant, there are no earthly mediators. See Hebrews 4 1 Timothy 2. Jesus is even called our High Priest.

Is celibacy is allowed for church leaders, and to a certain degree, encouraged? Yes. But the Bible nowhere requires celibacy for those serving as church leaders.

(As an aside, one of the reasons Catholic priests are celibate was because church leaders were giving their children positions in church leadership, and they introduced this idea in order to fight nepotism, and stop people from giving church property to their descendants So, in the Catholic church, there's people that God has not called or gifted to be celibate, who are being required to be celibate. Does that contribute to the some of the public failures we see in the Catholic church regarding, adultery, fornication, or child abuse? Perhaps.)

Then stop spiritualizing marriage in that way.

In what way? I never said anything about "eternal conjugation," lol.

Then why and how do you desire marriage, when you have nobody?

I don't know why this is so hard for you to grasp. But do you understand that someone who's single might not want to be single and has the desire to be married one day, the desire to have children one day, and the desire to experience romance and sex, eventually? These desires are not wrong. They are a normal part of being human for lots of people. Nowhere does the Bible condemn romantic or sexual desires.

Now, based on my past interactions with you, this is the part where you again bring you bring up all the sinful forms of sexual activity like fornication, I'm sure. Because to you, these are the only possible ways for people to have sex, apparently.

Of course, you're not married, and have no desire for romance and sex, but not everyone on Planet Earth is like that. Shocking, I know. Paul, apparently, had no desire for these things, either, and yet he still conceded that not everyone was like him. Why can't you do the same?

If someone currently works a low-paying job, then they likely have the desire for a better-paying job in the future. is it wrong for them to desire a better-paying job, even though they currently don't have one? Are they guilty of "idolatry" or whatever?

 

[Lynx]

Are you alive and human? So am I. Are you still here, presumptuously talking to human? So am I.

Did you mean presumably?

Although you ARE in fact very presumptuous...

 

[Lovette]

Um, yes, earthly marriage and our relationship with Jesus are different in some ways. And? So what? My relationship with Jesus is also different from having a platonic friendship with a fellow human. Does that mean i should never form platonic friendships with other humans?

Also, in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, when Paul discusses the qualifications for elders/deacons, he writes that these people must be the husband of "one wife," probably meaning that they must be committed to their wife if they are married. Now, some think this requirement excludes single men from church leadership. But if that were really Paul’s intent, then he would have disqualified himself, since he was single. Or, he was probably single at the time he wrote these epistles. If Paul was married at the time that he wrote these other epistles, well, then he wasn't single or celibate.

You also mention that ancient nuns and priests took vows of celibacy. Does the Bible teach that these people have to be celibate? Well, that's an interesting question to answer, because the Bible doesn't even teach that there are supposed to to be “priests” in the New Covenant that Jesus set up. The Bible teaches that all believers are members of a holy and royal priesthood. (1 Peter 2:5-9) When Jesus died, the temple veil was torn in two, so there was no need for an earthly priesthood. In the new covenant, there are no earthly mediators. See Hebrews 4 1 Timothy 2. Jesus is even called our High Priest.

Is celibacy is allowed for church leaders, and to a certain degree, encouraged? Yes. But the Bible nowhere requires celibacy for those serving as church leaders.

(As an aside, one of the reasons Catholic priests are celibate was because church leaders were giving their children positions in church leadership, and they introduced this idea in order to fight nepotism, and stop people from giving church property to their descendants So, in the Catholic church, there's people that God has not called or gifted to be celibate, who are being required to be celibate. Does that contribute to the some of the public failures we see in the Catholic church regarding, adultery, fornication, or child abuse? Perhaps.)

If you wanna reply, reply with your own words, don't generate with AI.

In what way? I never said anything about "eternal conjugation," lol.

Did you compare earthly marriage with the church's marriage with Jesus? Earthly marriage demands conjugation, "two shall become one flesh".

I don't know why this is so hard for you to grasp. But do you understand that someone who's single might not want to be single and has the desire to be married one day, the desire to have children one day, and the desire to experience romance and sex, eventually? These desires are not wrong. They are a normal part of being human for lots of people. Nowhere does the Bible condemn romantic or sexual desires.

Now, based on my past interactions with you, this is the part where you again bring you bring up all the sinful forms of sexual activity like fornication, I'm sure. Because to you, these are the only possible ways for people to have sex, apparently.

Of course, you're not married, and have no desire for romance and sex, but not everyone on Planet Earth is like that. Shocking, I know. Paul, apparently, had no desire for these things, either, and yet he still conceded that not everyone was like him. Why can't you do the same?

If someone currently works a low-paying job, then they likely have the desire for a better-paying job in the future. is it wrong for them to desire a better-paying job, even though they currently don't have one? Are they guilty of "idolatry" or whatever?

I don't know why this is so hard for you to grasp that disappoint equals expectation minus reality. If you're currently works a low-paying job, it is wrong for you to FANTASIZE a better-paying job which is either imaginary or totally out of your league. "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." Lk. 16:10 Do you want contentment and peace with Christ or not?

 

[Lovette]

Did you mean presumably?

Although you ARE in fact very presumptuous...

Whatever, ask yourself those questions first. Typing a few lines doesn't cost me anything anyway.

 

[Lynx]

Whatever, ask yourself those questions first. Typing a few lines doesn't cost me anything anyway.

The cost is a lot of the reason it's so popular.

 

[RodColeman]

If you wanna reply, reply with your own words, don't generate with AI.

Huh? What am I writing with AI? You think I have a dedicated Lovette-Response AI that I developed just for you? Hahaha! You can't tell that I have a certain writing style after I've been talking to you for, what, almost a month now?

Did you compare earthly marriage with the church's marriage with Jesus? Earthly marriage demands conjugation, "two shall become one flesh".

Marriage is an analogy that Paul uses to explain the church's relationship with Jesus. Do you know what an "analogy" is? Geez. Come on.

I don't know why this is so hard for you to grasp that disappoint equals expectation minus reality. If you're currently works a low-paying job, it is wrong for you to FANTASIZE a better-paying job which is either imaginary or totally out of your league. "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." Lk. 16:10 Do you want contentment and peace with Christ or not?

So, if I'm hoping to find a better-paying job, and working towards finding a better-paying job, what's the thing that I'm doing wrong?

Also, in what Bible verse are we told that "disappointment equals expectation minus reality"? Or in what Bible verse are we told that it's wrong to hope for good things or to be disappointed when these things don't work out? I get that you have your pithy phrases, and that you're fond of using them. But I don't see why I'm required to treat these as gospel.

 

[Churchgoer]

Seek God's righteousness and God's kingdom first, then we will be a joyful person , then will be a joyful resource to others

 

[Lovette]

Huh? What am I writing with AI? You think I have a dedicated Lovette-Response AI that I developed just for you? Hahaha! You can't tell that I have a certain writing style after I've been talking to you for, what, almost a month now?

I can tell AI has a certain writing style, no matter what prompt you use.

Marriage is an analogy that Paul uses to explain the church's relationship with Jesus. Do you know what an "analogy" is? Geez. Come on.

Yeah, the CHURCH, a called out assembly saved by the blood of Christ. Did you die for your spouse and wash away her sins with your blood?

So, if I'm hoping to find a better-paying job, and working towards finding a better-paying job, what's the thing that I'm doing wrong?

Also, in what Bible verse are we told that "disappointment equals expectation minus reality"? Or in what Bible verse are we told that it's wrong to hope for good things or to be disappointed when these things don't work out? I get that you have your pithy phrases, and that you're fond of using them. But I don't see why I'm required to treat these as gospel.

Prove to me that job exists, the employer is hiring, and they're interested in you. If not, you've made an idol out of that job, the thing you're doing wrong is idolatry. Does the bible teach you to be content in any circunstance? Is Luke 16:10 gospel or not?

 

[RodColeman]

I can tell AI has a certain writing style, no matter what prompt you use.

Wow. Extraordinary. Haha.

Yeah, the CHURCH, a called out assembly saved by the blood of Christ. Did you die for your spouse and wash away her sins with your blood?

Huh? So a man is not Jesus. OK. Therefore no man should ever get married. What?

Prove to me that job exists, the employer is hiring, and they're interested in you. If not, you've made an idol out of that job, the thing you're doing wrong is idolatry. Does the bible teach you to be content in any circumstance? Is Luke 16:10 gospel or not?

What does Luke 16:10 have to do with marriage? I don't know where you get your definition of idolatry. But if that's the definition you should use, well, apparently you can't do anything without making it an idol. After all, you don't know if the employer's interested in you before you drop off the application. Then you hear back from the employer. Or not. LOL.

This is one of the biblical warnings against idolatry: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” (Exodus 20:4). And almost every one of the idol Bible verses we read (more than 200) are about objects made of wood/stone/silver/gold. Is someone's desire for romance/marriage/sex an object made of these things? Um....no.

So, uh, make sure you never to bow down to those plastic bride/groom miniatures that goes on the top of the wedding cake, I guess. Hahaha!

Remember, in 1 Timothy 4, Paul condemns people who forbid marriage. But nowhere in his letters does he condemn people who desire marriage or call those people idolators.

 

[Lovette]

What?

How about no man should develop a messiah complex upon this analogy? If earthly marriage is an analogy of Christ's union with his church, then why would you need a poor substitute when you already have the original?

What does Luke 16:10 have to do with marriage?

You do understand that in marriage, two become one flesh, right? So why would God trust another person's life in you, why would God give her to you, what have you done to deserve her?

I don't know where you get your definition of idolatry. But if that's the definition you should use, well, apparently you can't do anything without making it an idol. After all, you don't know if the employer's interested in you before you drop off the application. Then you hear back from the employer. Or not. LOL.

This is one of the biblical warnings against idolatry: "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.” (Exodus 20:4). And almost every one of the idol Bible verses we read (more than 200) are about objects made of wood/stone/silver/gold. Is someone's desire for romance/marriage/sex an object made of these things? Um....no.

So, uh, make sure you never to bow down to those plastic bride/groom miniatures that goes on the top of the wedding cake, I guess. Hahaha!

Remember, in 1 Timothy 4, Paul condemns people who forbid marriage. But nowhere in his letters does he condemn people who desire marriage or call those people idolators.

Are you content in your relationship with Christ? Is his salvation sufficient, or do you need to add something else, such as a spouse? Speaking of desire for marriage, I do desire the final marriage with Christ in heaven, Rev. 19:6-9, how about that?

 

[Lovette]

Seek God's righteousness and God's kingdom first, then we will be a joyful person , then will be a joyful resource to others

That's false prosperity gospel, "save yourself for marriage," save yourself, seek God's righteousness and kingdom, and you'll be rewarded with the happiest marriage. Forgive me for not having any faith in this.

 

[Churchgoer]

That's false prosperity gospel, "save yourself for marriage," save yourself, seek God's righteousness and kingdom, and you'll be rewarded with the happiest marriage. Forgive me for not having any faith in this.

Then stay in miserable state if you wish.
No one is forcing you to be joyful haha.

 

[Lanolin]

Oh yea the do not forbid marriage verse
Totally forgot about that one!

Go Rod!

Didn't Jesus turn water to wine at a wedding? He could have refused or declined the invitation. But we know he didn't and was partying with the other guests.

 

[RodColeman]

Oh yea the do not forbid marriage verse
Totally forgot about that one!

Go Rod!

Didn't Jesus turn water to wine at a wedding? He could have refused or declined the invitation. But we know he didn't and was partying with the other guests.

Jesus could also have lectured the bride and groom about how they were, apparently, just wasting their time and exploiting each other for their own selfish gain. But Jesus didn't do that. Weird.

Jesus also declined to agree with his disciples when they said that, if the divorce law is so tough, then it's better to just not bother with marriage altogether.

Oopsie!

 

[Lynx]

I can tell AI has a certain writing style, no matter what prompt you use.

That's incredible ego there. You think an argument with you matters to anybody so much that someone would go off and use AI to get a reply for you.