The Third Strand

"For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:10-12

I was first sensitized to those verses when I was part of the Promise Keepers ministry in the '90s. The idea then and now is as a Christian man, it is important have other Christian men in my life. Don't try to live my new life on my own, devoid of any meaningful association with other Christians beyond the superficial grip and grin on Sunday mornings. But the principle goes beyond that. 

The other day, I wrote about the husband and wife being one - not two. But there is more to the story. The husband and wife are three not two. What binds us together as husband and wife is more than our determination to "stick it out". It is the Spirit of God. The One who makes it a "threefold cord". 

To fulfill God's intent and design requires the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is what quickens each of us in our relationship with God - the Father. Yes - it requires faith in God the Son, but our faith is cemented by the Spirit, first separately in the husband and in the wife and then together as husband and wife. Marriage is a triangular relationship if you will. 

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" - 1 Corinthians 6:19

A successful relationship, as God intended, is built on our relationship with God by faith in the Son and the indwelling of and submission to the Spirit.  But what if either the husband or the wife is not a Christian? We have this admonition.

"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?" -  2 Corinthians 6:14

Getting married in a church does not make an uneven yoke right before God. It is not possible to have a God honoring marriage if one of the spouses is an unbeliever.  But if one of them is not a Christian, then the believing spouse must be faithful first to God and then to their spouse. God does not give you license to abandon the unbelieving spouse. However, should they abandon you then you are free from the relationship.

"If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases." - 1 Corinthians 7:12-13,15

Why is that possible? I believe that since they were not joined together by God and so if they leave the relationship can be ended. Remember.

"What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate." - Mark 10:9

Complicated, isn't it? That was not by God's intent. There are so many "What ifs" that can be asked because we are so good at going our own way and then making a mess of things. I think those "What ifs" all can be summed up by answering a question with a question. "What if you sin in any way?" There are consequences from our sins that most often cannot be avoided but, at the same time there is forgiveness. Of course, our preference would be that consequences would be vacated supernaturally by God and forgiveness would wipe the slate clean as if the sin never happened. There are inevitable consequences to our sin even though forgiveness is certain. My encouragement - no matter what has happened or is happening in your life.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone