Last week we spoke about divorce and remarriage among believers. Divorce is not God's will for His children and is morally wrong except in certain situations, as in it is the breaking a promise made to God and another person. If at all possible, reconciliation should be the goal, however, it is not the unforgivable sin and those affected by divorce are not second class citizens in the kingdom. We cannot change the past but going forward we can hold up the standard of God's will for marriage for our children and others in the church and new converts.
Today we are going to talk about marriage between believers and unbelievers.
1 Corinthians 7:12-16 KJV
[12] But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
13] And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. [
14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
THIS DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE AUTOMATICALLY SAVED BUT RATHER THAT HAVING AT LEAST ONE BELIEVER IN THE HOME PROVIDES CHRISTIAN INFLUENCE AND PROCURES GOD'S BLESSING TO A CERTAIN DEGREE ON THE HOME.
15] But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases : but God hath called us to peace.
IT IS OKAY TO LET THEM GO. IS THIS IMPLYING THAT THE BELIEVER IS FREE TO REMARRY IN SUCH A CASE? POSSIBLY? NOT IN BONDAGE, FREE FROM THE MARRIAGE COVENANT? I CANNOT SAY FOR A CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS WHAT PAUL IS IMPLYING, I WISH I COULD BUT I DO BELIEVE GOD IS GRACIOUS AND IN THE BEGINNING IT WAS HIS WILL FOR PEOPLE TO FORM FAMILIES AND HE SAID IT WAS NOT GOOD FOR MAN TO BE ALONE. SO I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
16] For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? …
This is not advocating believers marrying unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 6:14-16 KJV
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. …
Many believe and I believe that this text may be and can be applied to but not limited to marriage. Our relationship with God is the most important relationship in our life, I believe marriage is the second. Marriage to an unbeliever creates a conflict, as you seek to walk with God the unsaved spouse is pulling the other way.
Winning an unsaved spouse.
1 Peter 3:1-4 KJV
[1] … Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; [2] While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. [3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. …
While this is speaking to wives, perhaps this principle could apply to husbands as well. That the conduct of the believer could speak better of the gospel than thousands of brow beating mini-sermons trying to change the spouse.
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