Unequally Yoked

Is it a sin to marry a non-Christian?

Nancy Ortberg

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July 06, 2007 1:46 PM

Jill

When I met my husband he was a "good Christian boy" and I was very drawn to him and his quiet confidence, even though I was not saved at the time. I admired his willingness to be who he was and I thought it was cute that he read the Bible every day. We did marry and 3 weeks later I became a Christian and was saved. Was it wrong of him to marry me because I was not saved at the time? Had I not married him, I might never have made the decision to seek Christ and receive his forgiveness. If it were a sin for him to marry me, how does that reconcile with the fact that he was instrumental in my finding Christ? Eleven years later, I am still grateful that he saw an opportunity to bring me to Jesus, and didn't turn his back on me because of my lack of faith.

June 21, 2007 3:36 AM

Michael

I think respecting other people's beliefs is essential in the religious context. God is all about love, and forgiveness; why shouldn't we love someone from a different religion? Are they different in any kind of way? From my understanding, God loves everyone regardless of what they feel about Him. To say that a mixed-marriage cannot work simply because it doesn't revolve around Christ is ignorant and misleading. The marriage wouldn't fail because of the non-christian, the marriage would fail because the christian would do anything in her power to convert the other and impose her beliefs upon him. That said, I'm a firm believer and I love Christ from the bottom of my heart, but to think that there are people who take His name to give out ignorant advice is just heartbreaking.

June 29, 2007 12:31 PM

Dee

Firstly, for one to marry an unbeliever, you must first date the unbeliever. I dated an unbeliever for years. I thought he was the love of my life even though God told me no. I made a mess of my life.The Devil will create ways for you to be tempted.I decided to trust God and end it! It was very painful for me.God's Word clearly asks "what does light have to do with darkness?". Why would a Christian marry a Muslim/Buddhist/unsaved? The Word says marriage makes us one. How can two different faiths with 2 different Gods be made into 1? Which God will we serve? Which of the two parents will the children listen to? When there is a crisis in your life, will your partner bear you up in prayer?I am not judging, I am just a sinner saved by grace but one lesson I have learnt from my ordeal is that I cant call myself Christian and still do things my way, it's about total submission, my life is no longer mine.If I truly love God with all my heart, I will do not some of what He asks but ALL.