For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife? 1 Corinthians 7:16
Christians who have a good and godly spouse know what a great treasure such a spouse is. If we are so blessed, we ought to give God thanks many times a day, and try our best to appreciate and reciprocate. But what if we were not saved, would such a good and godly spouse be a blessing or a curse, an asset of a liability, a companion or an adversary? Just think for a moment about the unsaved people you know who are married to faithful Christians. How do those people respond to their situation? As time goes by, those folks could owe a tremendous debt to their godly spouses.
We know, of course, that a Christian husband or wife cannot bring a unsaved partner to salvation; that is a work of God alone. But that Christian spouse can have such an impact that their efforts and testimony are the key factors in causing their partner to seek the Saviour. Even if the unsaved partner shows animosity and rebellion, the saved partner has the privilege of being a constant Gospel message that the Holy Spirit can use to reach the unsaved one. It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. Everything in the believer’s life will be at odds with the attitudes and desires and habits of the unsaved partner. Struggles are sure to occur. And clashes will be difficult to avoid. But if the believer keeps in mind the goal of seeing their partner saved, that will help to encourage the believer to continue faithfully in their quest.
A good testimony is always a good Gospel message. And in the case of the Christian husband or wife, the opportunity to preach a good testimony sermon comes every day, often many times a day. Regardless of the circumstances, a Christian spouse can always display a loving and sacrificial spirit in the family. I read of a woman who was married to a man who was not only opposed to the Gospel but who was also less than kind toward her. Nevertheless, she showered him with affection and caring, made sure he always had the best of meals, and did everything she could to make him happy and comfortable. When another Christian asked her why she treated him so well despite his indifference and cruelty, she declared, ‘If he doesn’t get saved, this will be the only Heaven he will ever know’. That is the kind of attitude that will speak volumes to the lost partner, even if they won’t acknowledge it.
Those dear saints who are living with an unsaved spouse deserve our admiration and support. They also ought to be much in our prayers, even as we ought to be much in prayer for their unsaved partners. –Jim MacIntosh