Would it be fair to say the ‘do not be unequally yoked’ verse puts forward (read here advises rather than decrees) a general workable principle because it supports the idea that there may be lesser potential for misunderstanding and friction if two people start from the same page at the very least where faith-status is concerned.

However – there may be many exceptions to that principle and these may include:

(a) both partners willing to work hard at adjusting to each other’s different points of view about faith and allowing the basic security in the relationship to support any internal tensions / discomfort arising from such adjustments – this stands true for the Christian as well as the non-Christian;

(b) a willingness to tolerate the idea that the other partner may never ‘come round’ to your own point of view about faith and then to accept the other as is without wanting to change them – again this applies equally for both the Christian and non-Christian partner;

(c) significant shared common moral values and basic world views can hold a relationship a long way even despite disparate faith stances – as long as both can articulate what these values and world views are AND both partners allow for a continuing change / development in each other – I’ve seen Christian couples separate because one partner started changing from a hardline conservative position to a more ‘liberal’ faith stance – hence just because you get together with a Christian is by itself not a guarantee.

A principle is not a magic promise. Merely taking it up does not guarantee happiness and success. I think what’s needed to realise the outcomes of what that verse/principle is aiming for is basically living life together with lots of grace, tolerance, forgiveness, courage and acceptance. And this applies to same-faith as well as differing-faith couples.

Just my two-bobs worth.

1corin 7:12-19

12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.

I know being with my g/f is right and my reason for being with her has no ulterior motive, we are very compatible and she is very understanding, supportive and so not demanding or staunch in who she is, its not a perfect r’ship 😉 but perfect for me. I know before God we are seen as sanctified, hence the above scripture 😉

😀 😀 😀

Hey Ian, great to have you posting 😀 You know what you wrote made me think, usually a weaker animal was put with a stronger to build the weaker up, thankyou for putting a new swing on this, it gave me a great perspective 😀 😀 Love being yoked to Jesus 😉

If we want to take the scripture apart, in one part of corinthians it is said dont reject the unbelieving wife or hubby because they are sanctified and yet here it is said not to be unequally yoked to an unbeliever, so its kndve contradictory, here i think it would be handy to know to whom Paul was talking and why so we understand his audience or what does he mean, seems odd to me……any suggestions on interpretation on both.

(1cor:7-12 vs 2cor 6:14-17)

I think Ian is right in what he said. People often go for just one view of a verse and then build a movement around it and i think this is no exception. So many christians/pastors/leaders think that once you are a christian that that is it, nothing else to consider. People are people and can be very different indeed regardless of having the same faith. I think the examples given are good to explain that there is more to a balance (equally yoked). There is more to a relationship than just a similar belief system in a higher power. After all, believing in Jesus is merely the tip of the iceberg. If it wasn’t, then why are there so many denominations and differences within denominations, well heck, let’s go further, what about the differences on issues of the bible within the single church group/family/body?

That is not meant to be a critical/bitter statement but a real one which many do not wish to consider and address.

In my r’ship, my g’friend is not out to her family at all bar her Mum but completely out with my family. We live with her Grandma and brother and Grandma is not one who could cope at all emotionally with being out (like with most anything, just her personality) and my girl would have way too much to lose, including the upstairs area we live in with her brother (seperate unit built on top of house, she owns) but once Gran passes away she will let it come out over time.

My g’friend is my carer as well so she is seen as that so its easier in that way but its no bother to me we arent out to her family, it doesnt change who we are to each other which is more important to us and there are places we can be openly affectionate and other places not, I reason that straight people arent affectionate in public allllll the time nor all over each other in a family situation 😆 so its not an issue for us because we wouldnt be either LOL. We dont just hang out in gay venues only either, we certainly love that in gay friendly places I can hold her hand and put my arm around her but if I cant I cant, it changes nothing in how we feel…but thats us 😉