A question about marriage

[Guest]

A situation. A couple have been living together unmarried for years. Then one becomes a Christian. The other is not yet willing to do the same. But they do now decide to get married as they are in love and could not possibly bear to part - though only one is a follower of Christ. 

Are they now both acceptable in the sight of God? The uneven yoking will be a problem but is it still a sin? 

A young couple like this need advice from experienced Christians please. 

[Willa]

Technically, It would seem that they should separate and not marry until both are saved.  

 2Co 6:14  ESV Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?2Co 6:15  What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 2Co 6:16  What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”[

 

 

[johnthebaptist]

2 hours ago, Melinda12 said:

A situation. A couple have been living together unmarried for years. Then one becomes a Christian. The other is not yet willing to do the same. But they do now decide to get married as they are in love and could not possibly bear to part - though only one is a follower of Christ. 

Are they now both acceptable in the sight of God? The uneven yoking will be a problem but is it still a sin? 

A young couple like this need advice from experienced Christians please. 

The yoking isn't a sin, I don't believe. However, failing to obey the Lord's commandments is a sin. Remember, the commandments are meant to keep us out of trouble.

[Heybro]

While there is merit in the answers given above, there is yet more to be unravelled. It is great that there is one who has come to saving faith and that they have decided to marry, that's the 1st good decision they have made. The next advice I would say is that until the marriage is official, that the christian should move out until the marriage! The Apostle Paul gave explicit instructions regarding these matters in 1 Corinthians 7, which Melinda, you would do well to read, and pass on to your now christian friend. All the answers to life's questions can be found, for they are found in God's handbook by which we all should live by. As always, I hope this helps, God bless. 

[missmuffet]

5 hours ago, Melinda12 said:

A situation. A couple have been living together unmarried for years. Then one becomes a Christian. The other is not yet willing to do the same. But they do now decide to get married as they are in love and could not possibly bear to part - though only one is a follower of Christ. 

Are they now both acceptable in the sight of God? The uneven yoking will be a problem but is it still a sin? 

A young couple like this need advice from experienced Christians please. 

They are living in sin. Just because one has become a Christian does not mean that the other one is saved. The one who you said has become a Christian must not think much of being obedient to God since that person is living with someone outside of marriage. 

Edited September 30, 2019 by missmuffet

[BeauJangles]

5 hours ago, Melinda12 said:

Are they now both acceptable in the sight of God? The uneven yoking will be a problem but is it still a sin? 

The word of God does not say marrying an unbeliever and thus becoming unequally yoked is a sin. The Apostle Paul did write some good sound advice for men and women that have a non-Christian spouse. He said to be loving and to be an example of Christ, therefore a hope for salvation. It is the God's will for spouses to be one in the faith as they become one flesh in marriage. It simply is an overall spiritual advantage. A person who enters into this sort of relationship must understand the down side of a lopsided bond. It happens and can be a tremendous struggle. 

[Adstar]

1 hour ago, BeauJangles said:

The word of God does not say marrying an unbeliever and thus becoming unequally yoked is a sin.

The Word of God calls on us Christians not to be yoked with unbelievers.. Therefore taking a part in rebellion against what the Word of God preaches is by very definition Sin..

[Guest]

Whilst of course a young couple is living in sin, christians being judgmental instead of supportive is highly bad news. It does not bring souls to Christ. 

The positive is one of them has become christian, they will soon marry and become respectable in the eyes of all. Surely nobody, not even a stern righteous Christian, would actually want them to split up instead? 

We know what the Bible says. But where is kindness and mercy and understanding? If people support this couple, the young man too will more likely come to the Lord. Censure and criticism and bible quoting achieves nothing good for those on the receiving end! No doubt the speakers feel good and self satisfied though. 

[BeauJangles]

1 hour ago, Adstar said:

The Word of God calls on us Christians not to be yoked with unbelievers.. Therefore taking a part in rebellion against what the Word of God preaches is by very definition Sin..

Yes, I'm very well aware the admonishment of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers. And the Apostle Paul lists all the disadvantages of a marriage with an unsaved spouse as well.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ¹⁴Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ¹⁶And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. ¹⁸And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD Almighty.  KJV

Agreed, pretty heavy stuff with strong advisement. But let's read further on this. 

Ephesians 5:22-25 ²²Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the LORD. ²³For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. ²⁴Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. ²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  KJV

Ephesians 5:28 ²⁸So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  KJV

Colossians 3:18-19 ¹⁸Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the LORD. ¹⁹Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.  KJV

Does it not call for the believing spouse to set the example of godliness to the other, with the hopeful eventuality of salvation for the one who has no saving knowledge of Christ? But where does it say, "This is a sin, don't do it." ??? Here's what the word does say.

1 Peter 3:1 ¹Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  KJV

[missmuffet]

I do not know if being unevenly yoked is a sin but it allows a Christian to stumble which can be quite dangerous in the Christian world.