The Unbelieving Husband

10To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

12To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14For 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.

15But 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. 16How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? (1 Cor. 7)

Thoughts: There are two, yet three reasons for divorce with Christian blessing.  Jesus listed adultery as a reason.  Paul says if an unbeliever leaves the believer can separate.  In western thought abuse or danger can also be a reason for separation.  Divorce is not to be taken lightly and neither is marriage taken lightly.  Marriage of a non-believer should not be done in order to save them.  Paul was saying that while it is better to be single in such trying times, that does not mean it is okay to get divorced.  We should learn to be content in any situation with the neighbor around us (like a spouse) that is before us.  To love your neighbor as yourself means to be extraordinarily patient and gracious toward the other person in a relationship.  

Prayer: Lord, bless the marriages in our country.  Bless them especially in these extraordinary times of falling away.