Sincere Queries And Bible Response
To Whom May A Christian Marry?
That is wise and preferable for a christian to marry a christian is not denied by anyone known to me. Also that it can be dangerous and ill advised for a christian to marry a person who is not a christian is not questioned.
The question is - does a christian commit sin when he marries one who is not a christian? If so, does God permit one to continue to live in this sinful state?? It is presumed that the ones in I Corinthians 7:12,13 were married before the one became a christian, but where does the bible so state? Likewise in I Peter 3:1-6 the Lord tells a christian woman how to live before her husband who is not a christian, but nothing is said about when she obeyed the gospel, whether before or after marriage.
It is argued by some that God would not allow Israel to marry outside that nation, therefore God will not now allow us to marry outside the "holy nation." Marriage is physical. It is just as physical now as then. Then God said to Israel, "smite them and utterly destroy them..." Are we to smite and destroy those who are not members of the church? Remember this was physical destruction. To them God said, "... thou shalt make no covenant with them..." Does God forbid that we make a contract with one who is not a Christian to paint our house? To them God said. "...show no mercy unto them..." Do we, today, violate God's law when we show mercy to those who are not christians? Let us be more careful with God's word.
One good sister says, "...I may be too determined that the gospel as it reads, means exactly what it says." One should have no fears along this line if he knows "... exactly what it says. " Sometimes we miss "... exactly what it says."
Think with me for a minute. If a business man who is not a christian should say to me, "I want you to be a business partner with me. You will have to forget about being a christian and give your life wholly to this business." If I agreed to this and entered into such an agreement, would I be "unequally yoked?" I think so. But again: If a business man who is not a christian says, "I want you for a business partner. I know you are a Christian. I admire you for it. I will always consider that fact and will never expect you to neglect your duty as a christian, nor violate any principle that is taught in God's word." If I enter into such as agreement, have I become "unequally yoked?" I think not.
Let us be wise in our decisions. Read again my first paragraph of this article. Let us also take care that we do not bind as a matter of law that God has not bound.