Separated!

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers; or what partnership have righteousness and  lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

Corinthians 6:14-15

One question I get asked almost every year is whether I will officiate a wedding between a Christian and a non-believer. Without any       hesitation, I say no. Please don’t get me wrong; my flesh wants them to be happy. So, there is a part of me that wants to say yes. However, like all matters that deal with our sanctification, it is not about how we feel but what scripture says.

When it comes to a person wanting to get married to an unbeliever, they are willing to be unequally yoked spiritually. You might ask, “What’s the big deal? They love each other, and the believing spouse can lead the unbelieving spouse to Christ.” The issue is that the believer’s first love is Jesus Christ, and an unbeliever is anything but Jesus. How will an unbeliever love his wife as Christ loved the church? Or, how will an unbelieving wife submit unto her husband as unto the Lord?  The answer is they won’t.

God’s Word is given to us to instruct us on all matters of holiness and godly living. However, when we disregard scripture to follow our  emotions, we can be sure it will not end well.

God, in His mercy, will allow the marriages of an unbeliever and a believer to last a lifetime, but that is not God’s best. And I have seen the pain and suffering of sisters in Christ who married an unbeliever, hoping they would change.

Young people, do not think that God wants you to be miserable; on the contrary, He wants your life to be filled with joy as you serve Him. So, make sure that anyone you wish to have a relationship with that ends in marriage make sure they love Jesus.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark