Scripture: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14
Examination: Paul is explaining that believers must endure through the struggles and challenges of being a Christian and living in a sinful world. The union of believer and non-believer leads to strife and disharmony.
Application: Today, my husband and I celebrate our 48th wedding anniversary. It’s hard to believe that nearly 5 decades have elapsed since we exchanged our marriage vows. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, things that easily could have broken our union, but we had the determination to stay together no matter what. It was a promise we made before we ever stood at the altar and said, “I do”. However, that vow to never part is not one we could have kept on our own.
Without including the Lord in our lives, we would be easy prey for a world that thrives on selfishness, lustful pleasures, and anything else that goes against the holiness of God. Our marriage struggled at times, raising our two children had its challenges as well, and living with another person was often complicated, but through it all, Jesus was faithful to His Word and helped us navigate together our way through anything that threatened our bond.
There is a reason that God cautions us to associate ourselves with those who are of a like mind. Sharing the same faith as another individual solidifies the relationship you share because it is based on something beyond human reasoning. It is based on the One who loves you beyond comprehension. The One who died to give you life. It is based upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who desires you and your spouse to build a successful marriage with Him at the center.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us, “And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” With Jesus in a marriage, it stands strong against the world and the powers of hell. Being able to pray with my husband when conflicts arise in our home, regardless of what they are, gives us a united strength… a strength from the Lord. Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” There is nothing that the three of us cannot do together, for Jesus tells us, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27).
Together, my husband and I have built a beautiful life that gets better as time passes. While we don’t know where we’d be if we had lived a life without God, we are certain it would have been nothing compared to the one we’re living now. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Truly, together with Jesus, we live a life more abundant and more blessed than we could have ever dreamed!
Memory Verse: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:3
Stretching your thoughts:
1. Why is it important for you to have a saved spouse?
2. What is the most important thing you and your spouse do together for spiritual growth?
He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts.
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits here has caused Him to remain
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is love; there is love.
Well a man shall leave his mother and a woman leave her home
They shall travel on to where the two shall be as one.
As it was in the beginning, is now until the end.
Woman draws her life from man and gives it back again.
There is love; there is love.
(from “The Wedding Song” by Paul Stookey)