IS IT PLEASING TO GOD TO MARRY A NON- SDA?

This question is one of the most common ask by numbers of Seventh-day Adventist young and adult who are contemplating to marry, especially by those who have boyfriends and girlfriends outside the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Well, only the Holy Scripture answers best!

In this query, let us involve to ask also the pen of inspiration written by Ellen Gould White since she has been considered prophet of the Seventh-day Adventist in this age.

The clearest verse from the Holy Scripture that pertains to this question is 2 Corinthians 2: 14, it says, 

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" The verse has never mentioned any name of denomination but rather the spiritual condition of an individual. The verse used the word "unbelievers," which project the spirituality of an individual. The word unbeliever in greek  is apistos which means it is not faithful, not convinced, faithless, and unpersuaded. 

The definition above is not limited to paganism or atheist but also to unfaithful professed believers and disobedient professed believers. The professed Seventh-day Adventist christians are not exempted with this truth. This means that our name as Seventh-day Adventist does not guarantee us as true believer, unless we are  faithfully keeping God's will and promises.

 Now, let us go to the pen of Inspiration. Read this direct word from the Spirit of Prophecy, 

"Men and women professing godliness should tremble at the thought of entering into a marriage covenant with those who do not respect and obey the commandments of God. It was this that opened the flood-gates of sin to the antediluvians. Such a connection with the world is a direct departure from God's express requirements,--'Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.'" {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 18}

The prophet did not mention any denomination but only the attitude of an individual toward God and His commandments. Those who do not respect and obey God's commandments are the unbelievers. However, there are non- Seventh-day Adventists who obey God's commandments faithfully than other Seventh-day Adventists. Is it surprissing? It is really true! Not all SDA (Seventh-day Adventists) are converted and there are manny people of God out there who are devoted to God. They obey God faithfully according to the light that they have recieved.

So now, let us go back to the question, Is it pleasing to God to marry a Non- SDA? The Spirit of Prophecy and the Holy Scripture answer is the same- marry the true believer! a person who are ready and willing to obey God's commandment faithfully. 

Maybe, you may ask this, "how about if he or she is not a Sabbath keeper? That person might not have the light yet about the sabbath. If that person is really a believer, she or he will not reject if you introduce and explain well with understanding in his or her part the truth. But remember, the verse above is not limited only to Sabbath keeping but in all commandments of God. Warning! Legalism is not a spirit of true believer. Be aware!

To end this article, i want you to ponder upon this Divine counsel on marriage, It says, 

Unwise marriages are the curse of this age. Such an alliance can but be disastrous to both parties. That love which has no better foundation than mere sensual gratification will be headstrong, blind, and uncontrollable. Honor, truth, and every noble, elevated power of the mind, is brought under the slavery of passions. The man who is bound in the chains of this infatuation is too often deaf to the voice of reason and conscience; neither argument nor entreaty can lead him to see the folly of his course.  {ST, December 30, 1880 par. 17}

A CALL TO YOUNG PEOPLE

"Young people today is not like the youth in our time." These are common words you can hear from the lips of the old ones. These words are the result of thier observation as they compare the youth of thier time and today. I know you know what they meant. They favor the youth of their time than of today. The old ones said that the youth of their time are more discipline and respectful than youth of today. What does it mean? Does the youth of the younger generation are morally challenged? Do our youth today accept this?

The old ones drew their conclusion of what they observed in the real life. The Holy Scripture has something to say about this. 2 Timothy 3: 1-5 says, 

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents,ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

The Holy Scripture had predicted this truth about what happen to the generations of man. Degradation of morality is surely come, and it is real today. The above verses are common today. Prisons cannot be emptied, reckless driver destroys innocents, streets are not safe, murders and robbers are everyday event! 

There is an urgent call to the youth who can bear and lift up the banner of truth and piety. The world needs young men and women who will stand as true to principle as the needle to the pole. There is a need of youth with ordinary ability, who give themselves wholly to God, who are uncorrupted by vice and impurity. The world need such young people to fight against immorality of this generation. 

Your Creator is calling young men and women to stand for His purpose. He said, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come..." (Ecc. 12: 1). Your choice determine what kind of world next to you. The future of the next generation depends on your choice!