Such a relationship is just a waste of your time if you are a Christian, and can lead easily to sin. If he is willing to take steps with you in having a relationship with God you should a least give him a chance. I would suggest reading the 4 gospels with him and pray together.
But don’t walk into a relationship like this naively. A person who isn’t on the same spiritual page with you may never want to be. Ever since my first ministry post as a middle school ministry director in 2003, I’ve dealt regularly with Christian folks who want to know if it is acceptable for them to date an unbeliever. Often , those who are pondering this question readily acknowledge that the Bible says a Christian cannot marry a non-Christian. It started as impatience, but it soon developed into a rampaging beast of unbelief, doubt, and worst of all, hopelessness. It felt like everyone I knew was married, including the kids I used to babysit.
Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. At twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. Boundaries protect, and boundaries provide the trenches of trust-building. Marriage is worth having because you get God in your lifelong commitment https://mydatingadvisor.com/ to one another. Marriage is about knowing God, worshiping God, depending on God, displaying God, being made like God. God made man and woman in his image and joined them together, giving them unique responsibilities to care for one another in their broken, but beautiful union.
You are to Marry “Only in the Lord”
Your story and words are like direct descriptions of my situation. It all happened today, it killed me to hurt him and I have cried so much today that now I can’t sleep nor work up tears to cry anymore. Everyone says I’m doing the right thing but it’s so hard to feel right when you’re feeling so much pain. Girls were being pressured by boys to have sex, and they were told they just needed to “stay strong”. They needed to stay AWAY from boys who didn’t value their “no”, and those boys needed to be told in no uncertain terms that pressuring anyone for sex is very, very wrong. Two years ago I was in a weird relationship, yes, with a non-Christian; I say weird because he was not my boyfriend, but it seemed.
What does the Bible say about being with an unbeliever?
There are countless follower/non-follower relationships that would be viewed as phenomenal by any standard. When christian women start getting impatient, or become too picky, and can’t find someone, then you start thinking of pairing with an unbeliever. It is very sad, but there are many unbelievers that are stronger morally than many Christians. They are good citizens, caring for those around them, and willing to give sacrificially.
And because the Bible doesn’t specifically warn against dating a non-believer , you’re OK in regard to a sinful behavior that needs to be avoided. In your first bullet point you mention that marrying a nonbeliever is akin to marrying someone from a different culture. There are christians in your church that never really did this. If you marry them, you will also be married to someone unequally yoked. We are called to be witnesses to all men/women . This instruction from Jesus means that we are charged with telling the Story of Jesus to all – and being a witness to them.
But I do know this— if you rely on this idea too much, your dating life will get really confusing. Deciding whether you kiss on the first date is a personal decision between you and God. I personally do not think that kissing before marriage is a sin, but I would wait to kiss until you get to know the guy a little better. The act that God deems sinful is sex before marriage, not kissing or cuddling.
If it would help you to follow through with ending the relationship, you could also tell a good friend about it and when it’s happening, and they can keep you accountable. After that phone call, I gently turned down other weekend outings in favor of more casual weeknight coffee breaks. When Jake’s mother grew ill, I let Jake know I was praying for her. I knew Jake needed God more than he needed me. Part of his attraction to me undoubtedly had been an unconscious attraction to Jesus in me, and I didn’t want to squelch that.
Biblical perspective of dating a non-Christian
It’s still intensely good and beautiful, but it’s costly — too costly for small aims. After all, there has never been a less compatible relationship than a holy God and his sinful bride, and that’s the mold we’re aiming for in our marriages. If you feel that online dating is right for you, don’t let anyone or anything keep you from giving it a try. However, remember that, as a Christian, your life is about reflecting the teachings of Christ and pointing others to Him, not finding a date.
Whatever meaning you personally find, several Christians would disagree with you. This might end up pushing you away from the path toward the light. Differences in religious opinions can cause several rifts where one partner may try to control another based on their perspective of what is right. Similar to not being understood, the two of you might have contrasting beliefs and opinions on ethical stance and appropriate behavior from your own learnings and experiences. You will have distinct priorities, but your priority towards God will not be understood at all times. When you date a non-Christian, you cannot expect them to know or understand your faith or belief.
You will have differing opinions at every step of life. Relationships, which are difficult as is, become harder without the acceptance of your community and can pull you away from the Path. When your heart knows why you are willing to go out of your way to give that relationship a shot, it is okay to date a person. It is common for dates between believers and non-believers to be disastrous due to a strong difference of opinion or in what they seek from dating. Just like each person interprets religion in their own way, they also knit their own experiences and thoughts.
Even though the biblical accounts of marriage are set in a different time and place compared to the present, Scripture still contains essential truths for a godly union. You’re already dating someone who isn’t a Christian – This is where things can get a little tougher. Ultimately, the best thing to do would be to end the relationship now before things get harder down the road. But you do need to ask yourself what is most important to you? If having a strong relationship with someone who shares the same faith goals and beliefs as you is important, then it might be time to do something tough.