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©Millie McNabb When my husband needs new black socks, we get rid of all the old ones, and buy a dozen matching socks so that we don’t spend needless time pairing them up after laundry day. The concept is sound, but this last batch we got, was not as well-matched as we imagined. We got four packages of the same brand from the same rack. They seemed to be alike, but laundry day told a different story. When I put them side by side, some definitely had a brown cast to them. (I hadn’t thought to check the dye lot numbers.) Then there is the length. Who was in charge of quality control anyway? They vary by almost two inches. (How would you check for that at the store?) Matchmaking in marriages can be like that, too. We start with the sound concept in II Corinthians 6:14. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” Why is it important to have the “same brand” of beliefs when you’re considering a marriage partner? I spoke with an atheist young man who was engaged to marry a Christian. I told him I did not think they should marry because their beliefs were different. He said, “It’s okay. I respect her beliefs.” They did marry and were divorced within six months. We cannot separate our beliefs from daily living. This is true whether we claim to be religious or not. Marriage is important to God and He expects the commitment to last a lifetime. He knows that choosing an “off brand” partner is fraught with challenges. Differences in belief will create conflict or cause the believer to compromise their way of life and community with other Christians. Malachi 2:15 says that God is seeking Godly offspring. It is hard to teach Christian values to your children if the parents do not share the same beliefs. I heard a man talk about the conflict he felt as a child as his parents were of two different faiths, and argued about where he would go. When he got old enough, he settled the argument by not going anywhere. Some people are concerned that qualified Christian spouse candidates are in short supply. I broke off a relationship when I was 23 and remember being surprised by my aunt’s comment that not everyone gets married, as if I had just blown my last chance. Proverbs 19:14 says that “a prudent wife [or husband] is from the Lord.” May I suggest two things as you wait for the Lord: 1) Continue to become a Godly person yourself, and 2) Write down the qualities of the Christian spouse you desire and make it a matter of prayer. Don’t forget—the first thing on your list is “same brand” beliefs. This is part one of Choose a Spouse 101. Watch for part 2: Check the Dye Lot.
Article Source: http://www.christianarticles.co.uk
Millie McNabb, founder of Christian Values Legacy, has been married for over thirty years. She has four children who are now Christian adults. She offers parenting seminars that focus on passing on your Christian values. Request your free report “Considerations for Intentionally Raising Children to Become Christian Adults” today at www.ChristianValuesLegacy.com. Follow her blog at www.ChristianValuesBlog.blogspot.com
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