Sir,

I am a fairly new believer in salvation for everyone. I have a very important question that has been bothering me. I am currently married to a “Christian.” When I told him of my new beliefs, he basically told me that it was all false and I should be careful not to be led astray. He also told me to not share or teach anyone about my beliefs in universal salvation because I would be leading people to hell. He prays for me each day that I would be wise which basically he is saying to think like he does. My question is this: is it okay to remain married to someone who does not believe in the same Christ that I believe in? In someone who says he loves me and will tolerate our differences on universal salvation? The differences in our beliefs is causing me to draw away from my husband in that I know he will not see the truth unless God reveals it to him. Is staying married to him part of the fiery trials that I must endure in this lifetime? Or can I in good conscience divorce and remarry someone who also believes in universal salvation?
I really need your advice. I have not felt close to my husband for over 10 years and now with the difference in our beliefs, I cannot see continuing on in a relationship with someone who does not believe the same as me. However, I want to do what my Lord sees as right. Please help!!!

D___

Hi D__,

Thank you for your question. The short answer is that being married to an unbeliever is no reason to seek a divorce. Scripture seems to be especially clear on this subject. As long as your husband is not forcing you to disobey God or to deny the Christ you have come to know, then these words are the answer to your question.

1Co 7:13  And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
1Co 7:14  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Those words were written just for you at this time in your life. The way you have worded this letter makes it appear that you have been dissatisfied with your husband for some time, and you now want to use your doctrinal differences for an excuse to leave him. I do not mean to impute any motives to you. I don’t know you from Adam, but I do know Adam, and Adam did what he wanted to do instead of what God said. You have taken a vow to God that you would love your husband for better or worse, till death. So do all that is in your power to regain the love you once knew with him.
Having said what I feel needs to be said to you at this point, I want to point you to the very next verse:

1Co 7:15  But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
1Co 7:16  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

Being a married man, I can testify to my wife’s persuasive powers. A wife is in a position to exert incredible influence upon her husband for both good and evil. I thank God that He has given me a wife who fears Him and wants only to see my own growth in Christ. Seek that for your husband first. No God- fearing person is seeking an excuse to dissolve their marriage. It is the unbeliever who leaves. The spirit doesn’t even contemplate the reverse. It is not the believer who leaves. Then, when the unbeliever does leave, “a brother or a sister is not bound in such cases.”
I hope you are aware that God already knows what is in your future and has already written it all down in His book:

Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see mine unformed substance; And in thy book they were all written, Even the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was none of them.

What you do tomorrow with what you have been given to know and understand, was all decided before the world began. It was all given to you in Christ, at that time.

2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

I have written much more on this subject in the paper entitled The Law of Moses Versus The Law of The Spirit. It is under the section dealing with the 7th command against adultery. It is a major part of that paper, and I would suggest that you read what I have written there. It is in the Essential Reading section on iswasandwillbe. com in the upper left corner of the home page. Read that paper and then if you still have questions, please get back to me.
God loves you, and He seeks only what is best for you. Do all you do to serve and please Him, and this whole situation will work itself out for your good. That is a promise from God Himself.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [ his] purpose.

This trial is custom designed for your good, and it will, in the end do just that.
My prayers are with you. I hope the scriptures I have shown you in God’s Word will in some way help to give you the comfort and the peace of mind all prophecy is intended to produce within us all.

Rom 15:4  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Your brother in Christ,
Mike