Sermon Audio Archive

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

FROM: 7/21/02 Radio Program

Question:

If a spouse dies that is a Christian, who can that one that remains marry? Does "in the Lord" restrict?

Answer:

Paul touches on this in Romans 7:2-3 when he uses the marriage relationship as an illustration of the Jewish Christians dying to the Old Law (Mosaic law), and being "married" to the Law of Christ. (Paul taught in a similar fashion when he spoke of Christ and the church, and used the marriage relationship as an illustration in Ephesians 5:22-33.) In Romans 7:2-3, Paul taught that if two people are married, and one spouse dies, the other can remarry. "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man."

Yet, the question discusses whether or not there are "restrictions" to this rule. Can the person marry anyone? When we read I Corinthians 7:39, Paul says, "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord." The querist asked about the term, "only in the Lord." What does this term mean? Some have suggested that this term means "according to the Lord's will." While this certainly is a true statement, that does not go far enough. Remember that in the context, Paul is discussing people who were married during "the present distress" (v. 26). During this time, we see that some were encouraged not even to get married if this could be done (v. 8, 32-35, 38, 40). One did not sin in marrying (v. 28, 36), but it was "better" at the time to remain unmarried (v. 38). Therefore, if one was widowed and wished to marry, Paul told them to be married "only in the Lord."

But, who is "in the Lord"? Is it a Christian, or a non-Christian? Those who are Christians have been baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3), and have put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). Did the one who is not a Christian do this? No. How can one say that such a one is "in the Lord" then? Further, consider the one who is a Christian. Which person would be more likely to help them get to Heaven -- a mate who is a Christian or one who is not a Christian? Marriage is difficult enough as it is without adding to the burden by marrying someone who at best is not actively interested nor participating in your spiritual welfare, and at worst would try to hinder you from serving God altogether. Therefore, the best thing for a widowed person (or anyone else) to do is to marry a Christian, someone who will be active in helping them get to Heaven.

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