November 10th

Avoiding the Toll Road of Divorce

If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. I Corinthians 7:12-14

Imagine being stuck married to someone who has different dreams, values, and plans for life than you. You know married people are supposed to be on the same page with their spouse, but everywhere you turn it seems that you bump into conflict. Conversations about managing finances, raising kids, what friends you should have, and more turn into potential minefields. You can't even ride in the car together with the radio on without one side feeling like they have to make concessions for the other.

This could describe any marriage, but the likelihood dramatically increases when you are a Christian who is married to someone who does not believe in Jesus. What are you supposed to do if you find yourself in this situation? Whether you got saved after you were married or were already saved yet still chose to marry an unbeliever, the answer is the same-stay put! Hang in there!

In these verses, Paul helps us understand why this is so important. The reason is because as long as your unbelieving spouse is willing to remain married to you, you actually sanctify them by remaining married to them.

What does that mean? It means that you make them holy, setting them apart unto the Lord, becoming an open door for Him to work in their lives and bring them to salvation! You are the beachhead for His invasion into their soul, and as long as you remain together, He will work on them.

Your children will be blessed because of you as well because you serve as a covering of protection for them. Your faithfulness to the Lord helps lead them into the same faithfulness. God blesses you by blessing them.

There is so much blessing in staying put. Hang in there-for there is hope!

Prayer Lord Jesus,

Thank You for always being faithful to me no matter how much reason I have given you to leave. Please help me to have the same strength to remain faithful to my spouse, and please have Your way in their life so they will soon believe in You, too.

Amen