I’m Hindu, but I’ve started believing in Jesus
Question:
Hi,
I am a Hindu. Because of a friend of mine, who is a Christian, I am in the early stages of respecting Jesus as God. I wanted to marry that friend who introduced me to Jesus. However, the problem is with my parents. I have two questions:
- They will obviously oppose a marriage to someone of a different religion.
- If I tell my parents, what if they hurt my friend?
My whole family will oppose my marrying a Christian boy. Now I find myself in a situation where I may have to leave everything for Jesus. I am currently just praying to him privately. What shall I do? Please suggest something to me, sir.
Answer:
I could tell you the decision that I would make, but I have already decided what is most important in my life. This is a situation where you must make some difficult decisions. You have someone whom you want to marry, and I suspect he wants to marry you. There is a point in life where you have to disconnect from your family to start your own family. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). If you think your family will harm your friend, then the two of you may have to consider moving somewhere else after you get married. I suspect that your family will calm down after getting used to you being a Christian, even though they won't like it.
Being a Christian is a way of life. It involves believing in Jesus and praying to him, but that is just the surface. True faith comes from knowing what you claim to believe in. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). This means you need to read your Bible and learn from it. You don't have to know everything to become a Christian, but Christ is looking for people who make an informed choice to follow him. Read over "What Must I Do to be Saved?" Ask questions. Be sure in your decision.
Jesus warned that his followers would be persecuted. "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (Matthew 5:10-12). If you are willing to put the Lord above your family's beliefs, even if that means they will stop talking to you, then you will know you are ready to be a Christian. I pray that it won't be that severe for you, but I want you to be aware of the potential problems.
The second decision you need to make is whether you love and trust your friend. He and his fellow Christians may become the only family you have for a while. If you think he will love and respect you, then you will have made a good choice.
Question:
Hi sir,
I have emailed you before. As I already told you, I am from a Hindu background and believe in Jesus now. I am planning to get married to a Christian boy. My parents are strict, and I know they won't support us for an inter-religion marriage, so we have decided to go for a court marriage. What's your suggestion about this, sir?
Answer:
A marriage remains a marriage, regardless of where it is conducted. If the two of you live as Christians, then you will have a large family among the brethren at church. I suspect that over time, your parents will get used to you being a Christian. The first few years may be rough, but it will settle down.
