Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 29
th, 2016 at 9:29pm:
Lisa Jones wrote on Apr 29
th, 2016 at 9:11pm:
Sprintcyclist wrote on Apr 29
th, 2016 at 9:00pm:
Lisa - I had the same issue
Quote:............... 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. 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........
1 Corinthians 7.
God is Good.
I keep telling him (with tears in my eyes) that I cannot bear the thought of going to Heaven to find he's not there.
I want us all to be together....the whole family.
He understands where I'm coming from.
It's terrible when you care for a person so much.
You don't want to lose them.
God says, 'if you love them enough to stay married with them, that'll do for me.'
This puts it well (I can't post links): -
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 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.”
In families where either a father or mother is a Christian believer, by virtue of God's calling, God views both the unbelieving mate and their children in a special way. This verse does not necessarily say God calls unbelieving mates, but He blesses them. They live with a converted person, which provides them with an intimate exposure to God's way of life.
The word “sanctification” is used to indicate “separation to God” ( Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words , “Sanctification, Sanctify”). Something or someone “sanctified” is set apart in a separate category for a particular use. “Holy” comes from hagios , which “fundamentally signifies 'separated' (among the Greeks, dedicated to the gods), and hence, in Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred” (ibid., “Holiness, Holy, Holily”).
While the believer's conduct may be a powerful example for the unbelieving mate, he or she can usually go further than just setting an example to the children. A believing parent can actively teach them God's way and directly develop their understanding and relationship with Him. Without the influence of a converted parent, children in the household would be no different from others who, in ignorance, disobey God and lead spiritually “unclean” lives. However, because of the parent's conversion and relationship with God, such children are in a special category. Although not baptized, they are part of the “holy nation,” the Church (1 Peter 2:9). They also have special access to the knowledge of God's way of life.Ho
In the process of maturing physically, emotionally and spiritually, children of a believer have the choice to accept and respond to God's calling. If they do, they can receive the Holy Spirit as promised (Acts 2:38-39).
As with anyone coming to conversion, children of members must experience genuine repentance. Additionally, they must understand the lifelong commitment and responsibilities of being an “ambassador for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Competent counseling from a variety of spiritually wise people, such as ministers, parents and experienced members, can greatly aid a young adult's development toward baptism.