Marry....only in the Lord

"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord" (Prov 18:22).

Sadly, despite Scripture being clear on the teaching that a Christian must marry 'only in the Lord', there is often temptation on the part of a single man or woman to look for their spouse outside of the flock. It is surprising to many of us that the Christian community on our island has in the past - to a greater or lesser extent - appeared to accept this practice. Unfortunately, many do not seem to see too much of a problem with it even now. I can not understand their position. Many look at examples of seemingly happy marriages amongst their acquaintances, where one spouse was saved and the other was not. They claim this is proof that such marriages can work, and that God cannot be too displeased with such unions. What a strange way to look at providence, and at Scripture.

It is true that God is gracious, and He does not deal with us as our sins deserve, but surely, God's graciousness is not our excuse to walk into sin. I do not want to say too much right now, but if I am able to reach any single woman out there, I would plead with her to: "Trust in the Lord, and do good....Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.....Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" Psalm 37

I believe there is no greater gift outside of the gift of Christ as Saviour than a loving marriage. I am not unsympathetic to men and women who are single and who long to be married. But I would still say this: under no circumstances would our Saviour wish for us, His children, to be unequally yoked in marriage to an unbeliever.

I like this quote:

"God gave us a spouse, not so that we should rely on Him less and depart from His body, but that we may support one another, growing in faith, and forming a threefold cord that is not easily broken: God, husband, and wife."

I will return to this subject another time. I will show you a letter I once sent to a lovely young Christian girl who was about to marry an unbeliever. I will also tell of the response to the letter - from her and from her Christian parents. What I say might surprise you. On the other hand, if you know human nature, it might not.