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Marriage Monday discusses marriage topics the first Monday every month at Chrysalis. Today’s question is: What makes a Marriage Christian?
The short answer: Two Christians!
As a believer in an unequally yoked marriage, this answer appears apparent. However, I know of many marriages where both spouses have professed their faith and yet they are living unequally yoked.
A Christian marriage according to God’s word is two individuals who are living their life for the Lord first, then their spouse and family.
Luke 10:27
He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ ; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “
To love God is our highest priority. Out of the love of the Lord flows love for our spouse, children, and our neighbor. Our relationship with the King through Bible reading and prayer grows our love for God. When both spouses are living in this love relationship we find the beginnings of a Christian marriage.
One of the pitfalls many Christian spouses fall into is expecting their spouse to be or act like what they think a Christian spouse should be. What I know to be true is when my husband finally does come to faith he will not be at the same place spiritually that I am. I cannot expect my husband to jump into leading family devotions or think he is instantly ready to be a strong spiritual leader.
Growing our faith takes time and every person’s journey is different. It is true that often men express or practice their faith differently than women. Readjusting my expectations about my husband’s salvation has saved me from monumental disappointment. I trust Jesus to save my man. For now I follow the wisdom in the Bible to the best of my ability and I don’t get lost in unrealistic and unrealized expectations.
1 Corinthians 7:12-14 (NIV) 12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14For 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.
I continue to pray for my husband and our marriage. If I place our marriage in God’s hands through my prayers, why should I worry?
Philippians 4:6(NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Most of the readers here at Spiritually Unequal Marriage would give their right arm to see their spouse come to faith. My heart hurts for them and the struggles in their marriage. However, in many instances our unequally yoked marriage was the catalyst to grow our faith. I am one of those women.
Outside of my salvation, my husband is one of the greatest gifts I have received from the Lord. One day I will celebrate with the host of angels over his salvation.
Luke 15:10
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Have a blessed week and visit e-Mom at Chrysalis for more Marriage Monday. Be blessed, Lynn
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