I read the post "When Two Oxen Fall in Love" and had a question.  The verse you used to say that God tells Christians to only marry other Christians was 1 Corinthians 7:39.  1 Cor 7:39 is not directed to all those who would be married but specifically to those who have spouses who have passed and seek to be remarried.  I understand that all of us may be able to ascertain God's will for us as Christians from this verse, but I am unwilling to use it as law except in its given context.  I guess my question is this: does the Word of God explicitly tell Christians that they cannot marry someone who is not yet a Christian?

Sincerely,
Want It In Writing

Dear Want It In Writing,

The Bible never uses the words, “No Christian can marry a non-Christian”, but there are enough clear verses that we feel confident in saying that it is a sin.  1 Cor 7:39 is one of those verse.  If a Christian widow shouldn’t marry a non-Christian, it makes no sense that those marrying for the first time should.

However, the most powerful verse on this subject is 2 Cor 6:14.  When it says, “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers,” we must ask the question, “Is marriage a form of ‘yoking’ yourself to someone?”

To ‘yoke’ means to ‘couple or attach to’ something.  Marriage, by God’s definition, is when a man and a woman become one (Gen 2:24).  Marriage vows are definitely a yoke.  Therefore, 2 Cor 6:14 would include the prohibition against marrying an unbeliever.

Is going after a top-paying career or position in life the ‘love of money’? Many christian college students I've seen have either chosen or have shifted their majors to those that would produce more money.  Are they not being motivated by the love of money?  To me it seems they are no different than how people in the world act.

Sincerely,
Business Degree?

Dear Business Degree,

Making money is not a sin… nor is being wealthy.  It is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil (Heb 13:5).  Solomon was an extremely wealthy man, but he was also righteous and wise (2 Chr 1:11-12).  God teaches that we should save and leave an inheritance for our children (Pr 13:22).  Saving, investing, and making money to provide for our families… those are all good things (1 Tim 5:8).

Wealth isn’t a sin unless it leads to covetousness and greed (Lk 12:15).  We must all work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Php 2:12), constantly examining ourselves (1 Cor 11:28) that we might make sure that our heart is pure and free from greed.

On one occasion shortly after I prayed to Jesus, in the darkness of my eyes (STILL closed), I could clearly see the word "Grace" light up like a white neon-light sign, and it was hovering over a body of water.  After this picture faded away, I opened my eyes and wondered: was it a vision?  What does this mean?  Can you answer this for me?

Sincerely,
Floating Grace

Dear Floating Grace,

No, it was not a vision.  Prophets have visions, and there are no more prophets since we have the perfect and complete Word of God (1 Cor 13:8-10).  The human mind is a complex and wondrous thing (Ps 139:14).  It is perfectly normal for our mind to make mental connections as we pray, study, sleep, etc.  Those mental images aren’t visions; they are just your own thoughts as your mind meditates upon what you have said, read, or heard.

We recommend you read “I Dreamed A Dream” for more information.

I was wondering: if I stay with a man, and we sleep in the same bed but do not have sex, is that fornication?

Sincerely,
Super Sleepy

Dear Super Sleepy,

Would you be okay with your daughter doing that?!  Christianity isn’t about how close we can get to sin, it is about living lives that are striving for purity in all areas (Rom 6:1-2, Jas 4:8).  God commands us to “flee fornication” (1 Cor 6:18).  Sleeping in the same bed as a man that you are not married to is not “fleeing” by any stretch of the imagination.

When we play with fire, we tend to get burned.  Sleeping in the same bed is dangerous, bad for your reputation (1 Tim 6:14), not honorable in the sight of man (Rom 12:17), and sets your relationship up for failure because it will be built upon physical intimacy instead of one another’s character (1 Pet 3:4).  If this man truly cares about you – he will happily wait for that level of intimacy until you are married (1 Cor 7:2).

My question is: some people say that when you get married, your vow before God is what matters most.  I know of a husband and wife that exchanged vows before God with no pastor or witnesses.  They said that in about a year, they are going to have a public and legal wedding.  They believe that since they vowed it before God, He sees them as married now, and the ceremony is only something they want for legal, family, and tradition’s sake.  Is it true that God sees them as married?  I know they both believe that vows are holy before God.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Wedding Wonderer

Dear Wedding Wonderer,

The problem with that kind of arrangement is that:

1. There is really no Biblical precedent for being "married before God" and not married before the law and family.  Christians are supposed to obey the laws of the land (Rom 13:1-3).
2. The couple is putting themselves in a position where they look like they are living together without being married.  This means that they are sending the wrong message to mankind.  Christians are supposed to shine as lights in the world (Matt 5:16) and live a "good manner of life in Christ" that they may put to shame those who revile the name of Christ (1 Pet 3:16)
3. They are setting themselves up to be deceptive.  When they file for taxes, are they going to say they weren't married?  If great aunt Elma asks when they were married... what will they say?  There are lots of problems with this arrangement.

No matter how you slice it - it is better and Biblical to be up front and legal before God and man.