The Importance of Being United in Faith

January 15, 2015

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”

2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Did you know that Christians are called to marry Christians?

Why, you might ask? The King James Version of this scripture says, “Do not be unequally yoked.” The imagery is of two incompatible oxen sharing the same yoke. Instead of working together to pull the load, they would be working against each other. So, first, it’s just common sense. If Christ is your priority and you marry someone whose priority is politics, music, work, sports, education, or anything other than Christ, in time, you’ll find yourselves drifting apart. God’s practical instruction that Christians are to be bound with Christians allows us to be joined together in a deep relationship of love, respect, compassion, and understanding.

But that’s not all. If it’s important that Christians marry Christians, then it is just as important that Christians should only date Christians! Why? Well, the fact is that we tend to marry people that we date! Christians must be cautious about getting into a serious relationship with anyone not committed to following Jesus Christ. Determine their commitment right up front. Ask them if they’re committed in their relationship to Christ – not just mouthing words and professing things they don’t mean in their hearts. Otherwise, you’re choosing that person as your priority over Christ, which is clearly outside the will of God.