What if You and Your Spouse Are Not Both Christians?

© 2018 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

 God clearly commands that a Christian should only marry another Christian.

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

In spite of this, some Christians end up married to unbelievers.  This can happen in several ways.  Some young Christians marry an unbeliever before learning that God forbids this.  Others may blatantly disobey God’s command.  Still others may have married prior to trusting Christ as Savior.  In each case, a troublesome unequal yoke is created.  When the problems resulting from this occur, the following question is often asked.  “What should I do now?  Should I get a divorce?”

The answer is NO!!!  God gives us instructions for this situation in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

“…If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  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.  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.  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?” (1 Corinthians 12‑16)

In other words, the Christian, is not to seek divorce.  Those now married have a covenant bond, with each other, which God establishes.   He has joined them together in spite of any previous disobedience of the saved party.

Speaking of the covenant marriage bond, Scripture says,

“For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away:…” (Malachi 2:16).

“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Matthew 19:6)

Marriage is a holy picture of Christ’s inseparable bond with His blood-bought bride, the church. (see Ephesians 5:22‑33)

If you’re unequally yoked, do you still try, in your marriage, to picture the love between Christ and His Bride?

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