May - 21
DO WE BELONG TOGETHER?
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers." 2 Corinthians 6:14
Years ago, when talking to a Christian who had married a non-Christian, I asked, "Is it difficult to be a Christian when you are married to a non-Christian?" Her answer has stayed with me throughout my ministry. She said, "It's almost impossible. We are on totally different tracks. When I want to go to church, he has other plans for us. When I try to do my devotions, he walks away."
God was concerned about compatibility when he instituted marriage. God wants us to make sure we are suitable for each other. Compatibility has many facets, but the most important part is spiritual compatibility. According to our Bible reading for today, this is not negotiable. Says Paul, "Do not be yoked together with an unbeliever." A radio pastor once said that for a Chris¬tian to marry a non-Christian is like getting on two trains going in opposite directions.
If you're dating, ask yourself, "Do both of us have a living relationship with the Lord, and does it show in our lives?" Without a shared relationship in Christ, a deep level of oneness isn't possible.
But what if you are married to a non-Christian? Pray for grace to show your unbelieving mate the care and grace of Jesus Christ. We don't marry to evangelize our partner. Yet many have met Jesus through the Christlike love of their spouse.
PRAYER
Father in heaven, help those who are thinking about marriage to choose the person you have in mind for them, and help them to make sure they belong to you.In Jesus' name, Amen.
多年前我跟一位基督徒倾谈，她的丈夫并不是基督徒。我问她∶「有一位未信主的配偶，这是否对你的信仰生活有很大的冲突？」我一生都不会忘记她的回答。她说∶「这几乎是不可能的事，我俩的生活轨迹完全不同。我想去教会时，他却安排了别的节目。我想祷告读经，他却一走了之。」
神设立婚姻时，关注到彼此配合的问题。神希望我们是互相适合对方，当中涉及多方面的配合，但最重要的是灵命是否配合。根据我们今天所读的经文，这是不容妥协的。保罗说∶「你们和不信的原不相配，不要同负一轭。」一位在电台主持节目的牧师曾说，基督徒与非基督徒结婚，就如登上两部朝相反方向行驶的列车一样。
假如你正拍拖，不妨问问自己∶「我们是否都与主有活泼的关系呢？我们的生活能否反映这种关系呢？」两人在基督里没有共同的关系，便不可能同负一轭。
如果你已经和非基督徒结婚，怎样办呢？祈求神的恩典临到，使你能向不信的配偶展示耶稣基督的关心和恩惠。我们并非藉着婚姻向伴侣传福音，但的确有许多人是通过配偶那种基督的爱而认识耶稣的。
祷告
天父啊，求祢帮助那些考虑结婚的人选择祢所预备的人选，让他们确定自己是属乎祢的。奉耶稣的名求，阿们。