Choose to Live in God’s Blessings
ICS Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (NKJV) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?
If a believer chooses to marry an unbeliever, that person must face the consequences and challenges that come with the marriage. Lawlessness means having no regard for God and His teaching. Fornication and cohabitation constitute lawlessness because the Bible teaches us that they are unacceptable. The marriage bed must not be defiled, because our bodies were bought with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Marriage is one part of our lives. The problem with many people is that they compartmentalise their lives, and only partially or selectively surrender their lives to God. Consequently, they face many sufferings that God never intended for them to have. If a couple is unequally yoked, their married life will be prone to many conflicts, including their definitions of marriage, their roles and responsibilities, their expectations of each other, the handling of finances, raising children in the ways of the Lord, and if God is the priority in their family’s life. These challenges are a result of the decisions that we make apart from God and His teaching.
Even if we are dating a Christian, we should always seek God whether that person is the right person for us to marry. Their spiritual maturity, calling, and character must also be taken into consideration.
Another scenario is where married couples live in different cities or countries in pursuit of their careers. This is unhealthy and strongly discouraged because a couple is supposed to stick as one flesh. Aside from the need for intimacy, they need to support each other spiritually and emotionally. A couple should always move as a family unit since we value God first, family second, and career third. If something were to happen during the time of separation and cause the marriage to break down, it is purely reaping what we have sown. Therefore, whenever one person needs to move to another city, a Christian couple should always seek the face of God regarding which person should give up their job to be with the spouse.
Galatians 6:7-8 (NKJV) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
The flesh is the sum of appetites, desires, and needs—whose purpose is the satisfaction of self—and everything in our lives that wants to live independently from God. Because we will face the consequences of sowing into the flesh, we must seek the blessing of God before we make any major decisions in life and refrain from deciding until we are clear about His will for us.
Sermon Series: Unless Your Presence Goes with Us
