1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.

For people who are struggling with an unbelieving spouse, this passage may seem very cold, but that’s because we tend to focus on ourselves; Paul’s focus is on Christ and His Body. The situation of just one spouse being a believer is hardly unusual in any country even today. Peter also addresses it, (1 Peter 3:1-6) which is particularly significant because we know he was married, in contrast to Paul. Americans in particular seem focused on “the pursuit of happiness,” as mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, and that often degenerates into, “What’s in it for me?” That’s no way to have a successful marriage, and it’s no way to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. However, the rest of the world seems bent on copying the less admirable characteristics of America, and that’s no exception. When people marry with no thought of faith, the probability of their having a truly fulfilling marriage is sadly slim. However, when husband and wife both come to Christ after they are married, God has special blessings for that situation as well. The whole point is, we are to be focused on following Christ, whether our spouse is willing to go with us or not.

Never having been in that situation, I am hesitant to push it too strongly, which is awkward in Japan, where Christian couples are the exception rather than the rule. We had a “pillar of the church” withdraw from church in the hope of leading his wife to Christ, but circumstances since then have shown the practicality of what Paul wrote here. (His wife is sill not a Christian, and he has been cut off from Christian fellowship that he dearly loves.) At this point the majority of the believers in this church are not married to a believing spouse. Just this year, however, I had the privilege of baptizing both a husband and his wife, and that is a special joy. I am to encourage everyone in the Church that God’s plans for them are good, so that they would keep their eyes on Him to receive what He has for them, in marriage as in every other area of life.

Father, You have blessed me so amazingly in the area of marriage that sometimes people have trouble relating to me, or get jealous. Help me be an open channel of Your grace, to turn their eyes to You, rather than to me or to themselves. I pray for all the singles, that they would have God’s peace as they wait for the partner You have for them. Because I got married at 20, they tend to feel I don’t have much empathy for their position! May I be an effective shepherd and counselor for every situation You allow me to impact, so that the lies of the devil may be exposed and people be brought into all that You desire for them, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!