Daily Devotional for Thursday, July 3

Spiritually Mixed Couples

“For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?” 1 Corinthians 7:16.

If you have ever driven a car with a donut tire, you know it can be challenging. These tires are meant to be for temporary use for only a few miles. Prolonged use may cause a blowout, loss of control and hydroplaning. It’s a small tire built for storage convenience, not to be used much. Other problems can arise because of the mismatch of tire size and type between it and the other tires. Your ABS light may come on, you may have a check-tire-pressure light come on, and it could even do damage to the transmission or cause your car to come out of alignment. Use a donut if you absolutely must, but just to get to get your other tire fixed. The tire mismatch can cause you problems.

Mismatched human pairs can be a spiritual problem in marriage also. The Bible is clear that believers should marry believers (2 Corinthian 6:14). There are too many problems that can and do arise from a mixed spiritual marriage. But what about in an unbelieving marriage when one partner becomes saved, and the other does not? This was a common problem in the early churches. When the gospel first reached an area, it was expected for there to be issues with one spouse believing and the other not, at least not right away. An unequally yoked marriage is a difficult one.

Paul gave very clear advice: stick with your unbelieving spouse. Love her. Care for her. Be good to her. Your life may be the key factor in bringing that spouse to the Lord.

REFLECTION

Gospel words coupled with gospel actions and gospel attitudes lead to gospel decisions.

Jason Rutherford