If a woman left her husband because of verbal abuse, and he then becomes a Christian, does she have to go back?
Question:
My friend has been through verbal abuse with her husband for years. She has prayed, fasted, and believed for him to come to Christ. A few months ago she confronted him on his behavior and left for a while to see what would take place. In that period he has repented, come to Christ, and now is saying that she has to come back because he is a Christian now. She is trying to heal from her broken heart from all the things he has done to her. She doesn't want to be out of God's will but needs time and is still seeking His face to know what to do. Biblically does she have to return now that he is saved?
Thank you for your information on this.
Answer:
So what you are saying is that while she told God she wanted her husband saved, she was really being hypocritical.
Consider this story:
"There is a tight-rope stretched across Niagara Falls and a crowd gathers a young man as he pulls a unicycle out of a box. 'Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention! Let me see a show of hands: How many of you believe that I can ride across the Falls on this unicycle and safely reach the other side?' The crowd, being eager to see the feat, enthusiastically raise their hands and cry out, 'We do! We do!' The man replies, 'Wait! That's not all! How many of you believe I can ride safely across while balancing someone on my shoulders?' Again the crowd waves their hands and shout, 'We do! We do!' Then the man says, 'Great! Now, which one of you will volunteer to be the one on my shoulders?' All hands quickly drop and the crowd becomes absolutely silent."
This is why James said, "But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works"" (James 2:18).
The key point is that Jesus said, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15). She knows what she ought to do, that she is reluctant to obey the command of the Lord speaks volumes.
