I Corinthians 7:13,14
“And if any woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not divorce her husband. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.”
This is a very curious truth. It seams like there is a holy canopy over a godly household. I wouldn’t go as far as saying all the unbelievers within are saved, but very close or they are going in that direction. Today’s passages declare it. The unbelieving spouses are choosing to stay in the believers house. They are saying “yes” to God’s kingdom rule within that house. While they aren’t saying “yes” to Jesus Christ, it’s just shy of that.
God takes this small concession and goes with it. A fish follows the shiny lure. So, also the unbeliever is made curious by the believer. They follow the lure. God wants them and draws them. The unbelievers within are spouse or children.
If the unbeliever decides to leave, then they have left the godly canopy. Today’s passage says, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife”. If they leave, the implication is that they are no longer being sanctified. The children as well. If they leave and don’t accept Christ, they have left God’s kingdom rule in that house. They weren’t living as christians. But by their staying in the house, they gave a nod to Christ’s rule. But their leaving, they say “no” to the reign of God in that house.
A passage in Acts seams to affirm the concept of the godly canopy. It’s in Acts 16:29-31, ‘And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas; and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”’
We know that God doesn’t have grandchildren. All must accept Christ individually. But Paul is saying that if the jailer accepts Christ, then his influence will go to the rest of the family. They will be under the godly canopy of that house. Somehow the family is sanctified or being sanctified.
They Jailer follows Christ. He goes to church and hears the Word. He applies it. He becomes more loving. The family feels that love. They associate that love to their dad accepting and following Christ. I would assume a jailer has some harsh edges. That man is now submitting to Christ and loving his wife and children. That is one of the best testimonies.
Sanctification is the process of becoming more Christlike. Parts of the old man are crucified. This is what God does to His children. Today’s passage says that the unbelieving spouse (and children) are sanctified through the believer in the home. It’s like a coworker stops cussing when the believer walks in the room. It doesn’t mean that person is a christian, but they are made a bit more holy (or less vile) by their self editing.
In Matthew 5:13 Jesus says we are “the salt of the earth.” Salt creates thirst. As we live for Christ in our home our they become thirsty for Christ. Salt is also an antiseptic. It heals wounds. So also our witness brings healing to those around.
Lord, thank You for the godly canopy. You use it to bless our families as well as those we come in contact with. Help us to stay salty.