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Mixed Marriages |
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Author: C. B. |
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A wise man once said, and I quote: "If you, a child
of God, marry an unsaved person, a child of Satan, you can be sure
that you will have trouble with your father-in-law‹the Devil
himself."
One of the greatest tragedies of today-one of the most critical
problems we face is MIXED MARRIAGES-the union of believers and
unbelievers. Every day, some Christian young lady or young man kicks
over the traces, rejects the Bible teaching against the unequal
yoke, and walks down the aisle with a person who has spurned the Son
of God and refuses to live a Christian life.
"But I can't help it, I'm in love with him," Christian young ladies
protest. "I don't want to lose him, so I'm going to marry him and
try to win him over to Christ."
But is such reasoning sensible? Can you expect God to bless your
disobedience? Can you expect your marriage to succeed when it
already has two strikes against it? There are enough problems to
solve in marriage without inviting trouble over religion.
I Corinthians 7:39 tells us to "marry in the Lord." That means to
seek out a Christian companion, one with whom you can share your
entire personality and life. As Nelson Veltman said, "It means to be
one in the Lord. Your proposed mate may have 'all it takes' in
personality, appearance, and like interests. Yet if he or she is not
zealous for the faith, you will be separated 'in the spirit'
although 'one in the flesh.' God's glory and your life are at stake!
Obedience to the commands of the Lord brings Him great glory and
endless happiness to your home. On the contrary, disrespect for your
Father's Word dishonors God and mars your happiness. You have only
one life to live on earth and normally one mate to choose. Marriage
is a life-partnership. Your home will be shaped directly by your
choice of a companion . . . You are not on this earth to seek
selfish joy. God placed you here to glorify Him. When both husband
and wife are one in faith and spirituality, there is a symphony of
praise ascending to God. Such a home is a bulwark for the Church and
the work of God."
Some of you are unmarried young people. May I have your closest
attention for a few moments? Let me tell you, after years as a
pastor and counselor, that if you could see the tears I have seen
shed; if you could hear the regrets I have heard from the lips of
people who have married unbelievers; if you could know their
loneliness and emptiness, you would never think twice about even
dating an unsaved person. The Bible says that "the way of the
transgressor is hard." You can't play with sin and expect to win.
There is only one way to be happy in Jesus and that is "trust and
obey."
Marriage is more than a handsome Romeo or delightful Juliet sweeping
you off your feet. Looks fade, and personality can flicker and die.
The lasting thing in marriage is mutual sharing of love and
devotion. I suppose all of you have heard of Mark Twain, that
brilliant American humorist and author. Well, he fell in love with
Olivia L. Langdon, a young lady who had been reared in a Christian
home, and possessed definite religious convictions. Yet, in spite of
her religious teaching, she married Mark Twain, who was far from
being an ardent believer. In fact, he is generally considered an
agnostic. Because of his love for her though, he did join in asking
the blessing and took part in family devotions. But this did not
last for long. One day Mark Twain burst out, "Honey . . . I don't
believe in the Bible."
Little by little, his unbelief exerted a deadening influence on his
wife's spiritual life. In a time of sorrow, he said, "Livy, if it
comforts you to lean on the Christian faith, do so." She sadly
replied, "I can't-I haven't any faith left."
This is not an isolated case. Mixed marriages take a regular toll.
Marrying an unbeliever is asking for trouble. God help you, and your
family, to obey God's Holy Word in II Corinthians 6:14, "Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: . . ." May you not learn
the hard way the tragedy of MIXED MARRIAGES. |
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Printed By: Faith Publishing House,
P.O. Box 518, Guthrie, OK 73044 |
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