MIXED MARRIAGES
I Corinthians 7:12-13, 16
"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 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 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?"
Even though Jesus did not address this problem, Paul's teaching is Holy Spirit inspired and carries the authority of revelation. Mixed marriage between a believer and an unbeliever presents special challenges. They may be one in flesh, but not one in spirit, and that can cause stress and conflict because they have different world-views. I have seen it both ways. A man in the congregation in Alsea was a Christian who wanted to bring his children to church, but the wife opposed this and caused him much heartache. A believing woman in Jasper was restricted from attending church by her husband and could not send her children to Sunday School. It is tough, but it is not a reason for divorce. It calls for special grace on the part of the believer. If the unbelieving partner leaves, the believer is under no bondage (vs. 15). The mission of the believer is the salvation of the unbeliever and raising children of faith (vs. 14).
TODAY'S THOUGHT: An unbelieving spouse, in and of itself, is not cause for divorce.
Have a united day. Love you.
I Corinthians 7:12-13, 16
"But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 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 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?"
Even though Jesus did not address this problem, Paul's teaching is Holy Spirit inspired and carries the authority of revelation. Mixed marriage between a believer and an unbeliever presents special challenges. They may be one in flesh, but not one in spirit, and that can cause stress and conflict because they have different world-views. I have seen it both ways. A man in the congregation in Alsea was a Christian who wanted to bring his children to church, but the wife opposed this and caused him much heartache. A believing woman in Jasper was restricted from attending church by her husband and could not send her children to Sunday School. It is tough, but it is not a reason for divorce. It calls for special grace on the part of the believer. If the unbelieving partner leaves, the believer is under no bondage (vs. 15). The mission of the believer is the salvation of the unbeliever and raising children of faith (vs. 14).
TODAY'S THOUGHT: An unbelieving spouse, in and of itself, is not cause for divorce.
Have a united day. Love you.
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