Reasons Against Mixed Marriages
You are a Christian, and you are in love. But the person you love is not a Christian. They’re not opposed to your faith, they may even be interested in learning more. Should you marry this person?
REASONS FOR CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES
(1) In marriage God intends for the two to become one – not only physically – but in every way possible, also spiritually (Matthew 19:4-6).
(2) Marriage requires grace, forgiveness, unconditional love. These are difficult to do without God’s help. Both partners need God’s help to share these virtues with each other (1John 4:19).
(3) At first it seems easy to be married together without believing together. But as the challenges of life, of raising a family and running a household become more real, the need for God’s help become more critical. Having a Christian partner will be a real blessing at those times.
(4) As a Christian we will need support, encouragement, and an understanding partner. Getting ready for church, driving to church events, personal and family devotions – these are hard to do by yourself, especially if your partner doesn’t help. Being partners in faith will help both of you to grow as individuals and a family.
(5) If Christianity is true, and you believe it, then it will be hard to know that you are married to someone who is outside God’s family, opposed to His will and unwilling to surrender to His love. This will add pressure to your relationship as you strive to lead them to faith, and could even drive them further way from the Lord.
(6) God warns about being unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). This image suggests that two people who are “yoked” together must be going in the same direction, towards the same goal. How can two people walk in opposite directions and expect to arrive together?
(7) The marriage vows include specific promises that only a Christian could make. Either the vows would need to be changed, or the non-Christian partner would have to pretend for the sake of the ceremony. If the vows are changed to suit the non-believing partner, the marriage ceases to be a Christian marriage.
(8) A Christian marriage is a religious event. What makes the marriage “Christian” is not the fact that it takes place in a church, or that a Christian pastor performs the ceremony, but that the couple themselves are Christians. The wedding ceremony is their testimony of faith and dependence on the Lord.
(9) The Bible does speak to those who are already in mixed marriages (1 Corinthians 7:12-16, 1 Peter 3:1-2). It does not condemn them, but advises the believing partner how to live in order to win over their spouse. God in His grace can work through such a marriage. But getting married should not be a form of evangelism (1 Corinthians 7:16).
(10) Sometimes the non-Christian becomes a believer. But sometimes the Christian drifts away from their faith without the support of their spouse. There are examples of happy outcomes, but also times when the mixed marriage has caused the Christian to water down or lose their faith, or to slowly fall away from participating in the life of the church.
CONCLUSION
For these reasons, a Christian marriage is the best choice to make. Think this through carefully. Talk to God about it, He is very concerned for your well-being. In addition, talk to a trusted Christian friend or adviser. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Pastor Norm:
Church Office – (905) 985-9307
Home Office – (905) 985-5006
Email – nsennema@sympatico.ca
