Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
1 Corinthians 7:10-24 (NIV)
10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. 12 To 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. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For 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. 15 But 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. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Concerning Change of Status
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
What obligation does a believing spouse have to an unbelieving spouse?
Lord, in Your Word, You show us what living a perfect, fulfilled life and marriage would look like. Holy Father, I want to have that perfect marriage, kids, and to respond to others as you desire. So often I aim for that target but I don’t get there. I sin, I am selfish and relationships are broken. Thank You for the cross. It is through Your blood that I am forgiven and my sin is washed away. Through Your grace, I am given a clean slate so I can get back on my feet, learn from my errors, and love You and others closer to the way that You had designed. As a believer, help me to live as an example to demonstrate Your saving grace on my family, friends, coworkers, and strangers in whatever situation that You have assigned me to. Let Your gospel truth, grace, and love live through me as You have called me to do. If I find myself in a good relationship where the other person is not a believer, help me to be an even greater inspiration of Your love and salvation for them. Lord arouse Your Spirit within them and use my life to bless them through my faith as I share Your love with them. Let my actions and what I say be a reflection of You in all that I do. I will trust that You will do the rest. Amen