Christian Marriages
One of the most important decisions a person will ever make is about who they marry. Christians should always and only marry faithful Christians (2 Cor. 6:14-18). Both parents and children must do their part to ensure that this is what happens (2 Tim. 2:2).
Let us take a look at some sobering statistics based on a study of two churches of Christ in America.
The first is the Church of Christ, B Street, Miami, Oklahoma (1957-1977). In these years, only 45% of the marriages (64 out of 143) were Christian to Christian. Is it any wonder why the church was growing so weak during these years? When Christians married non-Christians, 79% of Christians left the faith, and 32% divorced. When Christians married Christians, 92% remained faithful, and only 3% divorced.
Another example is the Bridges Street Church of Christ, Wynne, Arkansas (1962-1981). In these years, only 27% of the marriages (28 out of 104) were between Christians. When Christians married non-Christians, 80% of Christians left the faith, and 30% divorced. When Christians married Christians, 86% remained faithful, and 14% divorced.
Overall, 63% of marriages in the two congregations were Christian to non-Christian; of these, 76% of Christians became unfaithful, and 31% divorced. In Christian-to-Christian marriages, 90% remained faithful, and only 6.5% divorced.
Statistics aren’t the reason we should do anything, but they certainly demonstrate God’s wisdom. In our secular work, our family relationships, our marriages, in business and in every aspect of our lives, we should show Christian behavior—integrity.
DO WE WALK WITH INTEGRITY?
“A Psalm of David. I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing. 2. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 2. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. 4. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person. 5. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. 6. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. 7. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. 8. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD” (Psa. 101:1-8).
–Beth Johnson
Articles and Books by Beth Johnson