Deuteronomy 7:3&4
“Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. “For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you.”
This wasn’t about interracial dating and marriage, for foreigners could adopt God and become part of Israel to some degree.
Verse four speaks of how someone not of the faith may lure one away. That’s the issue. The same issue applies today.
There are several times when people commonly come to faith or regain an interest in it. Being raised in it is one. Another is in high school. When having children and lastly responding to a need, which could be at any age.
It’s frustrating when one comes to faith and the partner doesn’t. One spouse will come to church alone. This could go on for decades. The most important part of this one’s life can’t be shared with the partner. This is very difficult.
When single, the best way to avoid that problem is to date someone in the faith. 2 Corinthians 6:14,15 says, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”
This can be tough, as there are plenty of personalities that we ge along with. At the time, we don’t see an issue; or we are sure that they will come to Christ eventually. These passages discourage that. It’s too big a risk.
Marriage has difficult stages. To share the same faith and to have Christ’s teachings and His power as a resource is a huge advantage. It’s how it was designed to be.
This doesn’t mean we can’t have friends outside the faith.
We would be ignoring Jesus’ model if we did that.
Lord, thank you for my wonderful wife. Thank You that we share You and serve You.