-Here are two versions on the bible verse that I read pertaining to this matter. The first is the New Internationl Version and the next one is the Contemporary English Version. I hope you find them helpful.
And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Corinthians 7:13-16 NIV)
If your husband isn't a follower, but is willing to stay with you, don't divorce him. Your husband or wife who isn't a follower is made holy by having you as a partner. This also makes your children holy and keeps them from being unclean in God's sight. If your husband or wife isn't a follower of the Lord and decides to divorce you, then you should agree to it. You are no longer bound to that person. After all, God chose you and wants you to live at peace. And besides, how do you know if you will be able to save your husband or wife who isn't a follower? (1 Corinthians 7:13-16 CEVUK00)
I do personally know of believers who are in marriages with unbelievers. Either, they were not believers when they entered the marriage, were backsliding from their faith when they got married or other reasons. Now, that these believers have found their way back to God, the marriages are all going through their various set of challenges. For reasons we do not know, the Lord allowed two people to be together, whether they are both believers or not. My thoughts on that is if you find
yourself in that kind of predicament, the bible says that we have to stay with that person, and maybe
the other person will be saved just by the testimony he or she sees by your actions. Maybe you feel like divorce is the only way? The bible says, if your husband or wife is willing to stay with you don't divorce him or her.
Let me share a genuine example. We will keep identities hidden and name the couple 'A.' 'A' the believer married the unbeliever because it was backsliding from it's faith. The first few years the marriage was great. Then, they had children and the family minus the unbeliever started going to a bible believing and Christ centered church. To my knowledge, the believer never had or has any plans to divorce it. 'A' prays for the unbelieving mate everyday. And, really that is all it could do. The believer chose to stick with the unbeliever and I also see that it's choice was great for the kids maturing in the faith as well. In the past, I do remember things were not so easy for 'A.' 'A' would say the couple would constantly get into fights. But, I found it was really encouraging because it chose to stay with the unbeliever. And I hope you do too. After many years of prayer, the unbeliever did not
become a believer, but it has definitely become more accepting of the believer's church, and even
would drive the kids to church activities when the kids were not of driving age. So, that's a praise toy
God, I believe right?
Overall, I truly believe that if you find yourself resulting in a marriage with an unbeliever, first of all maybe if you are a believer don't marry an unbeliever. But, if you do for whatever reason and later wake up and find that you are right with God. Stay with the unbeliever and let him or, her see Jesus in your life and maybe one day that unbeliever will come to personally know Christ!
to be continued........
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