By bro Lee Tian Seng
The key purpose of marriage is companionship as what God intended it to be.
Genesis 2:18 - And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
It is a close relationship as two should become one.
Genesis 2: 24 - Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
With such closeness, husband and wife need to have shared goals and interests. Not having a common faith hinders a couple from being united in their religion and often leads to conflict in marriage. A Christian should marry a faithful Christian so that:
Your worship to God will not be hindered
God wants the family to worship together on the first day of the week.
Acts 20:7 - Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
When both husband and wife are Christians, they will be able to sing, pray, give, study God’s word and take the Lord’s Supper together. If not, the unbelieving spouse may not attend worship or support you in your giving. They may oppose your attendance in worship.
Your prayers will not be hindered
God wants the family to pray together and for another.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 - Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
God will not answer the prayer of an unbeliever, so it will not be possible for a couple who does not have a common faith to pray for each another.
1 John 3:22 – And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
Also, the unbelieving spouse may ridicule the Christian partner who prays. In praying as a family, if the husband is not a Christian then who will lead in prayer?
Your Bible study will not be hindered
God wants the family to grow in faith and the knowledge of His Word.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
When one spouse is not a Christian, he or she may not want to study the Bible together with you. You will not be able to encourage one another with the Word of God. If there is a discussion on spiritual matters, it could result in an argument.
Do consider these things before you make a decision to marry a non-Christian, lest you regret it. Consider if your spouse is going to help or hinder you from going to heaven.