MIXED MARRIAGES?

MIXED MARRIAGES?

Monday, March 14, 2016

Deuteronomy [GW] 22:10 Never plow with an ox and a donkey harnessed together.

Matthew 6:24  No man can serve two masters: …

Galatians[ GW] 5:1-9 Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be   

       firm in this freedom, and don't become slaves again. … what matters is a faith that expresses itself        

       through love. You were doing so well. Who stopped you from being influenced by the truth? The

       arguments of the person who is influencing you do not come from the one who is calling you. A little

       yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough.

2Corinthians [GW] 6:14-18 Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? [KJV: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ] Can light have anything in common with darkness? Can Christ agree with the devil? Can a believer share life with an unbeliever? Can God's temple contain false gods? Clearly, we are the temple of the living God. As God said, "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." The Lord says, "Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you." The Lord Almighty says, "I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters."

  ”Ed, what does God say about marriage between different races? I know 3 young couples who have gone against their race to have a relationship.” asked a man citing Deuteronomy 7:3-4. Moses’ family situation immediately came to mind. He marrying a woman of another race, Moses’ sister Miriam challenged his wisdom and authority from and position with Jehovah. She was soon leprous. (Num.12)

  As with partaking of alcohol, nowhere in Scripture is prohibition of interracial contact or marriage.

  In the Old Testament the restraint had to do with crossing religious lines and spiritually adulterating the purity of God’s chosen people; mingling pagan idol worship with monotheism ( the worship of one God, Jehovah).

  For saints this directive on separation is unchanged: “We [Paul & company] have been very open in speaking to you Corinthians. We have a place for you in our hearts.  We haven't cut you off. Your own emotions have cut you off from us. I'm talking to you as I would talk to children. Treat us the same way we've treated you. Make a place for us in your hearts too. Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness? Can Christ agree with the devil? Can a believer share life with an unbeliever? Can God's temple contain false gods? Clearly, we are the temple of the living God. As God said, "I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." The Lord says, "Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you." The Lord Almighty says, "I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters." (GW 2Cor.6:11-18)

  Such separation still has nothing to do with race or color, but everything to do with trust and obey.

  We’re God’s messengers; marrying is not the manner of biblical messaging, it’s by word and deed.

  Separation is for exactly the same reason as given in the OT; the diversity is seriously problematic with competition for or compromise of spiritual attention ever present. This strained situation also exists when dating or married to a nominal Christian satisfied with “Going to heaven when I die.” This is not however ready excuse to separate once married, for maintaining union before the Lord is important for spouse and children. (1Cor.7:1-17)

  Ours is to live by the rule of our King, no other; being unequally joined with unbelievers doesn’t produce possible optimal health in body, soul, and spirit.  EBB4