The Importance of Marrying in Christ and the Additional Death If We Do Not Marry In Christ:
IT WAS NEVER GOD’S WILL FOR US TO MARRY INTO BONDAGE, BUT TO MARRY INTO THE ADVANCEMENT OF HIS KINGDOM.
We began this series speaking about the importance of trusting in our husbands while submitting to their lead even in times where they do not express surety in how they are leading. Well, that isn’t such a bad situation for the woman who marries a man who is already following Christ because a man who is already following Christ can be corrected by God when he is wrong.
Thus, the whole family is covered because both the wife and the husband are committed to the Lord. However, when only the wife is saved this will be a greater challenge. It becomes a gut wrenching difficulty to submit to a man who is not a man of God. We do not have to allow ourselves to go through that additional pain if we choose well. This is why it is so important as single women of God to develop our relationships with God allowing him to mature us and to lead us in our decisions by his word.
You see, the Bible does not say for a woman to submit to her husband only if her husband is saved and submitted to the Lord. It says that she should simply submit to her husband, and the couple that is married with one spouse being unsaved; the saved partner covers the unsaved partner.
For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is , they are holy. 1 Corinthians 7:13-14
Likewise, 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; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 1 Peter 3:1-2
The above scripture implies that the wife’s job will be to humble herself being an example of Christ to her husband when she is saved and the husband is not. Depending on how far her husband is away from the knowledge of God; this can be very difficult.
Marriage already has a way of humbling two people, but being married to someone who is not in Christ or perhaps only walking by a religious spirit; will be all the more difficult. It’s almost like dying an additional death to yourself each day. Your ministry becomes being a light to your partner so that he can be convicted and drawn to Christ. Whereas, if this same woman in this scripture would have waited for a man who was already saved and submitted to God; her ministry would be based around advancing the kingdom of God along with her husband who is like-minded.
PURPOSES SHIFT WHEN WE MARRY OUTSIDE OF CHRIST.
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 1 Corinthians 7:13
Just because the situation is difficult doesn’t mean that the wife should divorce her husband. This is why single ladies must count up the cost. Are you willing to humble yourself and endure your husband not operating as one submitted to the Lord? Are you willing to submit to the way that he operates out of fear for God.
Are you willing to take the disappointment that may come from this and forgive again and again, and submit again and again. We have to count up the cost, and realize that if we are spiritually mature in Christ, it would be idea, easier, and more appropriate to marry a man who is spiritually mature in Christ. If we do so, we’d be able to move more as a unit fulfilling and advancing in the purpose that Christ has put us together for.
However, if two people are together that do not agree; they will have to do a lot of work to bring up the unlearned person before the plan of God can be considered. God’s plan in that situation is for them to get their house in order. Ladies, you make the choice. In either situation, it is a big responsibility to trust in our husbands and submit to their lead when we do not want to; but it is easier done when we marry a man who is already in Christ and submitted to godly authority. This man will not be perfect, but he will be submitted to the Lord and that makes all the difference.
Perhaps, if you are a woman considering marrying an unsaved man or a man who isn’t submitted to authority; you should talk with another older woman who has done so. I have been blessed with a first class seat on what married life is like being married to a man not submitted to God and godly authority. It is a heavy emotional roller coaster. It is one that can be avoided through practicing patience, wisdom, and trust in God.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
SUBMISSION DONE GOD’S WAY IS A PLACE OF SAFETY. SUBMISSION DONE ACCORDING TO THE WORLD IS BONDAGE.
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