Should my friend leave her husband so she can worship the Christ?

Question:

Dear Brother,

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ.

This question is regarding my colleague. She was born in a Hindu family but accepted Jesus in her youth. Her parents did not allow her to marry a Christian, so she married a Hindu, concealing the fact that she was a Christian. Her husband did not allow her to worship at home or go to church. She is also forced to be present during religious gatherings. She has waited for 25 years, hoping that her conduct would one day draw him to Christ. Her teenage children have also accepted Christ secretly, without the knowledge of their father. Is it right for her to wait forever or should she leave her husband, so that they will boldly confess their faith in Christ and attend church regularly?

Answer:

"But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?" (I Corinthians 7:12-15).

What seems to be missed is that a Christian does not allow anyone to stand between her and her God. It doesn't matter if her husband insists that she doesn't worship God. She should become a member of the Lord's church as commanded. It doesn't matter if her husband doesn't want her to read the Bible or sing songs of praise to the Lord. She should live a Christian life. If he doesn't like it, then he will leave. However, nothing you mention would require her to leave to be a faithful Christian. She just needs the strength to do what is right, even if it means being rejected by those around her.

Response:

Dear Brother,

Thanks a lot for your speedy response. I agree with your suggestion on this and will convey the same to my friend. Thanks again for your precious time and service to the Lord. Your website is a great source of information and encouragement.

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