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Unscriptural Marriages

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 31.

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Unscriptural Marriages

By CHAS. P. WHITFORD

CHAS. P. WHITFORD
In Amos 3:3 the question is asked: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” In 2 Cor. 6:14 the Lord answers this question thus: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
Marriage is an institution ordained of God. We are at liberty to marry if we desire to do so, but there is one very important provision. To learn what that provision is, study the following texts: Gen. 6:1-5; Deut. 7:1-3; Joshua 23:11-13; 1 Kings 11:1-6; Ezra 11:1, 2; 1 Cor. 7:39, 40; 2 Cor. 6:14-17.
From a careful study of these scriptures, we learn that we may marry if we desire to do so. But the Lord is very particular to tell us whom we should not marry. We should not choose for a companion one who does not love the same blessed truth that we love; for there can be no harmony between one who loves to follow in His steps and one who loves the sinful pleasures of the world.
To those who will obey God, and marry “only in the Lord,” the following promise is made: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord; . . . and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters.” 2 Cor. 6:17, 18.
Seventh-day Adventists claim to be commandment-keepers; but it is sad to contemplate that some of our dear young people disobey the voice of God in the matter of choosing a life companion. How one who claims to be a commandment-keeper can knowingly unite himself or herself to one who is not obeying God in the matter of Sabbath observance is hard to understand. When the command comes to us, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers,” and no attention is paid to it, we are evidently deceived if we think we are obeying God.
There are many in our denomination to-day who once enjoyed a good religious experience, and had a bright hope of the life beyond, but who are now living without God and without hope in the world. The Lord told them not to become “unequally yoked together with unbelievers;” but they dared to disobey this plain command, and by a chain of circumstances they were led to yield their faith, become separated from God and his people, and are now held in Satan’s snare.
In the REVIEW of Feb. 1, 1906, the spirit of prophecy makes the following strong statement: “Marriage between believers and unbelievers is forbidden by God.” The path of happiness is the path of obedience. Isa. 40:17, 18. It is never safe to disobey God, but it is always safe to follow his instruction. We do not always know what is best for us, but God knows. “God is love;” and love ever desires the happiness of the object loved; love will not withhold any good thing. “For the Lord Godis a sun and shield: . . . no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Ps. 84:11. The child of faith will not disobey our loving Heavenly Father.
If we could know the end from the beginning, as God knows it, the child of faith would choose for himself the same experiences that God chooses for him. He would not desire to do anything that God did not wish him to do. If we find ourselves longing for things that God does not desire us to have, we should pray for more faith and love, and greater submission to his will, remembering that “without faith it is impossible to please him.” Heb. 11:6.