"Nothing Less than Christlike"
The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, `You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.' Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord . (1 Kings 11:2, 3 NLT)
When it comes to marriage, the single most important quality in a spouse should be there relationship with Christ. Hands down, no questions asked. If we have to ask though, we should just ask Solomon. As wise as he was, he still didn't have the wisdom to be faithful to one wife. He still didn't have the wisdom to marry godly women. He married pagan women that turned his heart from the Lord.
Nine times out of ten this happens in marriage. We believe we can change someone or they will change & come to the Lord but most of the time this is not true. We shouldn't marry hoping to change someone but marry the person who is pursuing Jesus like we are: wholeheartedly.
At the top of the list doesn't need to just be "Christian" or "church goer" but rather "a committed follower of Jesus who is radically pursuing him & his kingdom." Nothing less should do. It would be better to be single than to settle for anything less. Christ must be the priority in our relationships. Ladies, how can a man love you like Christ loves the church if he is not walking regularly with Jesus? Guys, how can she be the bride she needs to be if she isn't first joined to Jesus?
Too many marriages are wrecked by being unequally yoked & we must stop settling for anything less than Christlike!
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