Unequally yoked, nonbelievers, believers, marriage, divorce, Christian, church, prayer, support, Bible Study, Christian Worker, commentary, devotional
In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church Paul prompted them not be unequally yoked to unbelievers. Paul found it common for these to join in business with nonbelievers and even court and marry unbelievers. These unions caused many conflicts for those involved.
Just because a person has married a non-Christian does not mean that they are any less of a Christian than a Christian married to another Christian; if anything those unequally yoked to an unbeliever needs to hold a great place in our churches and need encouragement for, because of them, the love of God is brought in to their home and to the non-believer.
It is common for some in the church to look down on Christians who marry unbelievers; however, God sees great opportunity in this situation.
And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 1 Corinthians 7:13-14 (NKJV)
This is a very tough passage to share with believers for most believers are taught you must believe to be a Christian. In Paul’s teaching if a believer is married to a non-believer, the believer is sanctified; which means they are cleansed from sin externally by their relation to their believing spouse. How can this be possible?
God is ready to accept people; and though a man person does not believe they and their believing spouse are one. Paul was teaching, because they are one flesh through marriage, the spouse is safe. Our God has recognized their vows to be one and therefore, pray they do not separate.
Is it wrong to be married to an unbeliever? Absolutely not; it is not a perfect union and the Christian married to a non-believer is going to have many extra trials, but there is great hope that their spouse will one day believe. It is always best to wed another Christian; but even committed Christians have marriage trials.
The believer must stand strong. These Christians who are in an unequally yoked marriage are very important to the keeping of a godly influence in their home; Paul calls it being sanctified.
The believer brings themselves and the Holy Spirit into the home and when a believer holds strong to their belief, they bring God’s principles of purity into the home. The home is changed by their presence and the non-believer is influenced seeing a difference.
The believer brings God into their home. The scriptures are taught and their children are ministered to. Because of God’s work in our lives to serve others, the believer becomes a light in darkness which is evident with every loving deed.
If a non-believer can live in such conditions and still remain unchanged or un-reached by God’s love, there is still hope. Many non-believers repent and turn to God, because of the love their spouse has for God.
But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife? 1 Corinthians 7:15-16 (NKJV)
Divorce is never a good thing. Paul goes on to instruct those who do not reach their spouse to let them leave if they attempt to go. If they want divorce, don’t fight it; be a peaceful person and surrender to their request. It brings great pain, but hold fast to God’s love for you.
It is never a good thing when marriages end; however, you never know how close the person came to turning to the Lord because of the witness.
Paul consoles those Christians who married non-Christians and their marriage did not work. This is the reality for many of these relationships; without God existing in the hearts of both persons, there will be turmoil. The two different natures will be at war with each other. However, trying to say together shows self sacrifice and service to the Lord.
Lasting marriages are tough enough without adding to them problems of unbelieving spouses. Yet, God wants us to be married to Him; sanctifying our lives through a relationship with Him. In this we have salvation and it reaches to those around us.
If you are a believing spouse and your partner is a nonbeliever, live at peace and serve your spouse to the best of your ability; but keep your relationship with God first.
Our Christian community must look with compassion on the unequally yoked. They are these who need our prayer and support. For our goals is to add to the kingdom of God.
