The God Files

Q: Is being unequally yoked a sin? Or specifically, is getting married to a non-believer a sin?

A: Most importantly, Acts 17:11 says do not believe everything I say but verify it against Scripture if what I’m saying is true. The Bible does not directly say if this is sin or so the principles of the Bible must be used to determine if it is sin or not.

If you say “No” because of 1Cor 7:14 “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.” because in the context, the marriage is legitimate because of the believing spouse. It does not and in no way say that the unbelieving spouse is saved nor has to be saved. Furthermore, even Moses was married to an Ethiopian (Num 12:1) she has a different faith and even his father in law, Reuel/Jethro, was a priest of the Midianites (Exo 3:1). However, the question remains: is it a sin to be married to a nonbeliever and is this God’s best?

I say “Yes, if you are a Christian then it is a sin to be married to a non believer” primarily because of 2 lines from Romans:

1.Rom 1:17 …”the just shall live by faith.” (Quoted from Hab 2:4, also Quoted in Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38)

2. Rom 14:23 …”for whatever is not from faith is sin.”

First of all, Faith is not just belief; it needs an object to believe in. The Biblical definition of “faith” is believing what God said AND acting accordingly. Abraham is the Father of faith not because he obeyed what God said but he believed in what God said and acted accordingly. (Heb 11:17-19) Abraham Believed in God’s promise (of making Isaac a father of many) even to the point of resurrecting Isaac just to fulfill the promise.

Secondly, which part of the Bible is God’s word? According to 2Ti 3:16-17 “ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” There are about 40 authors of the 66 books in the Bible; but the ultimate author is the Holy Spirit, he just used 40 or so “pens” some had more ink than others but there is ONLY ONE AUTHOR.

How much does God deem His word? More seriously than He takes His Name (Ps 138:2) God is serious about the Bible.

Therefore we could plug in Rom 14:23 our definition: “Whatever is a product of NOT Believing in what God said (the whole Bible) and acting upon it is SIN.”

Through Paul, God said in 2Co 6:14-15 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?”

The yoking together mentioned here does not specifically refer to marriage but it has a broader sense: any spiritual endeavors. The yoke as it is referred to by Jesus Himself in Mat 11:29-30 means “Authority” for example: We don’t see an Evangelistic Christian Crusade sponsored by Porn Magazine Companies or Whichever Company that is against Christ and His teaching; the authority they are under is different from that of the Christian.  What agreement does Jesus Christ have with pagan gods? NOTHING. Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” OF COURSE NOT.

The picture Paul wrote in yoking together refers to Deu 22:10 “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.” The reason behind this, in an agrarian economy, is the ox and the donkey walk differently; plowing a straight line, like it should, with these would be impossible. Likewise, the most spiritual endeavor a person could have with the opposite sex is marriage. Marriage is spiritual for God makes them one flesh as it is written in Gen 2:24 and the purpose being is to produce godly offspring (Mal 2:15). How could a worshiper of Christ and a worshiper of something else produce godly children? How could the Christian walk the straight and narrow path of righteousness when the spouse is tugging him/her elsewhere? How could the just spouse live by faith when the spouse follows another authority than Christ?

In conclusion, Is marrying an unbeliever a sin? Yes. Do we have the freedom to marry non-believers? Yes, but it is not God’s best and if we know His words and His principles we are sinning against God and ourselves. Who was the wife of Moses? Most people don’t know – her name’s Zipporah. In the Bible she was only referred to 4 times and 3 out of the 4 are not favorable (Exo 2:16-22, 4:25-26, 18:2-6, Num 12:1). Granted, Moses didn’t have much of a choice but still his walk with God was compromised. She was introduced in Exo 2:16-22. Their sons Gershom and Eliezer were not even circumcised until Moses was 80 years old (Exo 4:25-26). She left him and took their sons and Jethro has to bring them back to Moses (Exo 18:2-6) Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ siblings, rebukes Moses for having an Ethiopian as a wife (Num 12:1). Is this a picture of a marriage living by what God said and abiding by it? Since this is not a product of faith then it is sin.

Reading for the Day:

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Scripture:

Rom 12:1-2 mind transformation, 13:14 imputing Christ, no provisions for the flesh.

Observation:

I’ve observed that the battlefield is in the mind. From our point of view, volition is the starting point of salvation. Love requires a response, if it is not within my ability to respond then it is meaningless. Therefore, I have to decide and be willing for my mind to be transformed.

Since the righteousness of Christ is imputed or credited into my account; in the eyes of the Holy One of Israel, I am righteous. This grace is bestowed upon me not because of any merit I have or what I did, it is based on what He did. All this He has done because of His love for people of the world. For He is not willing that any should perish but come to repentance.

Application:

My decision to follow Jesus did not stop at the start of conversion; it is still on going until I depart from this world by means of death or the rapture. I examined myself to see if I decided to be transformed in my mind; the enormity of the responsibility and implication made me cry out to the Lord. I’ve realized that even by indecision, I could lose eternity. Therefore, the smartest thing to do is to surrender everything to God. Thank You Lord, but I can’t handle this so I’ll give it to You.

With this decision, God’s righteousness is fulfilled. I am a new creation and righteous before God. I am undeserving of all what God has done for me; truly His kindness leads me to repentance. Since I am dead to sin and sin has no dominion over me: there shall be no provisions for the flesh.

Prayer:

Blessed be YHVH King of the universe, for Justification is of Him, through the Sanctification of the Son and to the Glory that awaits us in the Holy Spirit. Father, I can never thank You enough for salvation and for the sure confidence that You made me Heaven bound. Help me day to day as I journey through life to be a good representative of Your Name. Help me lift Your banner high as a soldier representing the Kingdom. Help me give my all to You. There are things unsaid, there are desires not mentioned but Lord, You look at my heart. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart bless Your Name. Whichever things that are not good in your sight, cure me and I trust You’ll provide. All this I pray in the Name of the New Adam, Jesus the Messiah and King. AMEN.

Reading for the Day:

Romans 10-11 Israel’s rejection, God’s restoration

Observation:

I’ve observed that people can be serious but at the same time they can also be seriously wrong. It is good to have zeal but without knowledge it is grasping the wind.

There is always a remnant. God knows who are for Him and it is Him who keeps us. The sheep does not keep other sheep but the shepherd.

Application:

I take this as a call to take the Bible seriously. In this way, zeal coupled with knowledge is present and working within me. Also, The Lord is our guide and none other. My salvation is secured in Him. Since I did not work for my Salvation, I can not work out of the Salvation Christ provided it is by His grace which is not of works.

Prayer:

Blessed are You. Lord, our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us with His Words. How precious is Your kindness, O God. People take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They are sated from the abundance of Your house, and from the stream of Your delights You give them to drink. For with You is the source of life; by Your light shall we see light. Extend Your kindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright of heart. Make our roots grow deep in the Word, may we drink from the fountains of living water and it would cause us to bear fruit in Your Name. This I pray b’shem Yeshua Mssiach Nagid. AMEN.

Reading for the Day:

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Scripture:

Romans 8-9 The Sovereignty of God in Salvation

Observation:

God is sovereign. God works in the realm of election or choice and promise, not that of the claims of physical descent and human achievements. The results are often surprising – He chose the foolish to confound the wise, He has chosen the weak to put to shame the mighty.

Application:

I was foolish before the Lord saved me. I said in my heart, "no God." I was corrupt, have done abominable works and have done no good. But the blessed God came down to offer Himself a sacrifice so that all could be saved to those who would believe. Thanks be to God that He is faithful and had His hand on me even if I denied His presence. At the end of myself, I saw God and I was undone. It is with great gratitude that I serve Him with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength.

Prayer:

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for He saves by grace through faith in His Son and sanctified by His Spirit. For Salvation is of Him, through Him and to Him be all the glory forever. In Him there is no more talk of darkness, fears are forgotten, nothing can harm me and His words warm and calm me. He is my freedom, His light dries my tears, He is here; with, beside, in and upon me. He guards and guides me. Anywhere You go, let me go too. You love me, what more can I ask of You? Hear O Israel, the Lord, the Son and the Spirit; the Lord our God is one. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. All this I pray in the Name of the Messiah; the Savior and Lord of all, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Reading for the Day:

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Scripture:

Rom 6:15 Antinomianism

Observation:

If I am no longer under the Law, and Christ forgives my sins, then why not continue to sin? Keep on sinning, and Christ keep on forgiving. Grace was not given for me to abuse.

Application:

Such abominable thoughts are unthinkable. Christ died to save me from sin. His forgiveness is for the purpose of making me hate my sins. I cannot be a servant of sin and a servant of Christ at the same time. This doesn’t mean that I can entirely overcome my sin and place myself beyond the need of His mercy. What it does mean is there are two ways of life: the way of Christ and the way of sin. In my heart I belong to one or the other but never both.

Prayer:

Father Most High, who dwells between the cherubim; I thank You for Your mercy, kindness and for providing Your grace unto salvation. Thank You Jesus for reconciling God and man by Your atoning work on the cross. Thank You Holy Spirit that according to the Scriptures You did not allow Your Holy One to see corruption. Keep us in Your ways Oh Lord. May we not stray in the path You laid for us. Let Your words be our guide as a light unto our path and a lamp unto our feet. Change us from within and clean us to make us shine forth Your face as a testimony upon this world. Convict us to take Your words seriously and may we edify the body as we wait for Your coming again. In the Name of our sovereign Messiah and King, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Reading for the Day:

{Romans 4 was last night’s teaching in the Bible Study}

Scripture:

Romans 5:8-11

Observation:

Looking back in my life, I’ve noticed that God was always there even if I was denying Him. A certain part of my life was spent as an atheist. I was His wayward child but He was still faithful even if I blasphemed a great deal. It was His kindness that lead me to repentance.

Application:

I am reconciled to God by Jesus Christ. The war is over, I surrendered and in turn I received His grace. I was forgiven much and in turn I love my Lord and my Savior tremendously. I realized my ungodliness and my sins; In His presence I am undone. It is gratitude that keeps me from sinning.

Prayer:

Blessed be the Name of YHVH, Blessed be the Son of God - Jesus Christ, Blessed be the Spirit of God who dwells within His people. It is with joy and gratitude that I come before the Creator of the universe. Thank You for providing the world Your Salvation. May Glory and Honor abide forever in Your Name. All this I pray in the name of the Messiah our King, Jesus Christ. AMEN.

Reading for the Day:

-Rom 2:17-29 Condemnation through the Law

{The book of Romans is the book I am currently teaching on with the Bible study of the Elders and the Elderly.}

I observe that legalism leads to a dead end. Nobody can fulfill the fullness of the Law (besides Jesus Christ) and be justified. The Law can only point to the need for Salvation but in itself can not save anyone. I’ve also noticed that in a typological sense; Moses, being the representative of the Law, never made it to the Promised Land.

I’m grateful to the Lord for providing a way to be circumcised inside rather than outward. Truly this grace is something to be thankful for. It is good that the Lord never required us to work for our salvation but we work out the salvation that is within all those who are saved.

Baruch attah YHVH, eloheynu melech ha-olam. Blessed is the Son for through Him we receive Salvation. Blessed is the Spirit who dwells in the heart of the saved for His sanctifying work, working out the salvation that is within. I thank You Lord for imputing to me Your righteousness, for circumcising inwardly. On behalf of the people trapped in legalism, I ask for their salvation to be secure. Make them realize the purpose of the Law. If it is according to Your will, make it so. All this I pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. AMEN.

Reading for the Day:

-Rom 1:16-17 The Gospel of Christ

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. I’ve notice that the gospel is not the healings done by Jesus, and it is not His teachings; rather it is His redemption of the lost. Jesus Christ never came to make bad men good but to make dead men live. The righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel.

As it is written, the just shall live by faith. Faith means trusting in what God said. I’ve observed that people glibly say "just have faith" like it is and end of itself. It does not answer "faith on what?" Faith has to have an object; the object of the Christian’s faith is Jesus Christ.

Whenever and wherever Paul is, he is always talking about the gospel of Jesus Christ. How much more should I do likewise? As a Christian living in today’s society, I have resources Paul never had in his time. I have access to means of travel that Paul never oven thought of. However I do lack something Paul had – boldness. There were times I should have taken the opportunity of proclaiming the gospel that I let slip by. These were times I could have been used by God but I was intimidated, not that it is an excuse; I am guilty of letting the opportunity go by.

Blessed be YHVH, King of the universe. Blessed be the Son of God, His inheritance is the nations and the ends of the earth is His possession. Blessed be the Holy Spirit of God, nothing exists apart from His presence. Father, without You I am nothing, but through Your grace and mercy You make this nothing into something. Cause me to proclaim Your Name to the housetops, to represent You with boldness. Give me courage so that faced with trials, by Your grace, I will able to give glory to Your Name. Thank You Lord for sending forth Your Salvation, the Salvation that is of the Father and through Jesus Christ and to the Holy Spirit are all things, to whom be glory forever

Reading for the Day:

-Acts 26 Paul’s’ court testimony

Paul was happy (v.2) when he was given the opportunity to speak to King Agrippa. Despite what happened to Paul prior to his trial; he was still happy and was able to testify about Jesus to the court.

Faced with trials would I be able to put my trust in the Lord and still be His representative? My heart feints. There were trials in my life that I failed miserably, yet God is faithful. Continually, He sanctifies me by His grace and mercy. I have not already attained, or am already perfected. I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which the Lord has laid hold of me.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord, for He is Holy. Blessed be the Son whose Righteousness and Salvation was imputed to us. Blessed be the Spirit of God who is our strength and refuge. Lord, I believe; help my unbelief. I trust You can change my heart from within for You dwell within the church, the fleshly tabernacles holding the Spirit that brooded over the waters. Strengthen my faith in You Father. Cause me to stand on your Name in the face of persecution. On behalf of the persecuted churches all over the world, I pray that You provide for their needs. In the midst of persecution I know You are there and You will never leave us nor forsake us. Grant us grace and peace through the knowledge and wisdom of Your Son Jesus Christ we pray. AMEN.

Reading for the Day:

-ps 14 The Depravity of Man and the Salvation of the Lord

The italics in the Bible mean that the words were inserted. Verse 1 would read: The fool has said in his heart, "no God." It is not as if they don’t believe in God but they deny God’s existence.

The psalm continues to describe man’s depravity, especially verse 3. All have turned aside that translates to 100% and there is none that does good that means 0%.

Man is completely wicked. Therefore we are in desperate need of salvation.

As a receiver of His Salvation, I thank the Lord for His mercy for He was not obligated to save anyone but chose to save people. By this gratitude, I choose not to sin against the One that loves me. Much and in the same way He chose to love me so shall I choose to love Him and His people and have a heart for the lost.

Blessed be YHVH, King of the universe, for He is good, for His mercies endures forever toward Israel. Blessed be the Son of God for He provided salvation for all. By grace through faith His salvation is received. Blessed be the Holy Spirit for He has dwelled in fleshly tabernacles which is the church since the ascension. Father I pray that You draw me close to You. Let not my eyes depart from Your Holiness and mercy. Keep me from sin as You cleanse me from within, walk beside You on Your path and watch over me. Let me die so that You may live in me, and through me Your face will shine forth as a testimony to this dark world. All this I pray in the name of my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.