1 Corinthians 7:12-16: a reflection

12But to the rest I—not the Lord—say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. 13The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. 14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. 16For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Paul addresses a delicate situation: a believer married to someone who does not share their faith. His counsel is that the believer should not leave, if the unbelieving spouse is willing to stay; for, he says, the unbelieving spouse is sanctified through the believing one, and the children are holy. There is a sanctifying influence in a believer's presence in a home. Yet if the unbeliever chooses to leave, the believer is not bound; for God has called us to peace.

Notice two things in Paul's counsel. First, the sanctifying influence of a believer in a home: their faithful presence is not neutral, but brings something holy into the household, touching spouse and children. Paul encourages the believer to remain, that this influence might continue, and might, who knows, lead to the spouse's salvation. And second, the call to peace: where the unbeliever will not stay, the believer is not to cling in strife, for God has called us to peace. Faithful presence, and peace, both have their place.

That counsel speaks to the influence we may have in the relationships and settings where we find ourselves, including those where faith is not shared. Our faithful presence is not without effect; like the believer in a mixed marriage, we may bring a sanctifying influence into the homes, families, and settings where we are, and we do not know whom our faithfulness might, in time, draw toward God. Do not underestimate the influence of your faithful presence where faith is not shared; remain faithful there, that your presence might bring something holy into it, and might, who knows, draw others toward God. And where relationships strain, seek peace, for God has called you to peace. Be a faithful, sanctifying presence where God has placed you, trusting that your faithfulness is not without effect, and seeking peace even where faith is not shared.

Lord, Paul counsels the believer married to an unbeliever not to leave if the spouse is willing to stay, for the unbelieving spouse is sanctified through the believing one, and the children are holy; yet where the unbeliever departs, the believer is not bound, for you have called us to peace. Let that speak to the influence I may have where faith is not shared. My faithful presence is not without effect; like the believer in a mixed marriage, I may bring a sanctifying influence into the homes, families, and settings where I am, and I do not know whom my faithfulness might, in time, draw toward you. Keep me from underestimating the influence of my faithful presence where faith is not shared; help me remain faithful there, that my presence might bring something holy into it, and might, who knows, draw others toward you. And where relationships strain, help me seek peace, for you have called me to peace. Help me be a faithful, sanctifying presence where you have placed me, trusting that my faithfulness is not without effect, and seeking peace even where faith is not shared. Use my faithful presence, Lord, where faith is not yet shared.