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Would it be wise, then, for a dedicated Christian to pursue courtship and marriage with someone who has been accepted as an unbaptized publisher, since, strictly speaking, Paul's counsel recorded at 2 Corinthians 6:14 could not apply in that case? No, that is not wise. Why not? Because of the direct counsel Paul gave regarding Christian widows. Paul wrote: "She is free to be married to whom she wants, only in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 7:39) In harmony with that counsel, dedicated Christians are urged to seek marriage mates only among those who are "in the Lord."
What is the meaning of the expression "in the Lord" and the related expression "in Christ"? Paul speaks of individuals who were "in Christ" or "in the Lord" at Romans 16:8-10 and Colossians 4:7. If you read those verses, you will see that such ones are 'fellow workers,' 'approved ones,' 'beloved brothers,' 'faithful ministers,' and 'fellow slaves.'
When does one become a "slave in the Lord"? That happens when he willingly does what a slave has to do and disowns himself. Jesus explains: "If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and continually follow me." (Matthew 16:24) A person begins to follow Christ and fully subject himself to the will of God when he dedicates himself to God. Thereafter, he offers himself for baptism and becomes an ordained minister with an approved standing before Jehovah God. So, then, to 'marry in the Lord' means to marry someone who has demonstrated that he is truly a believer, a dedicated "slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ."-James 1:1.
A person who is studying The Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses and who is making fine spiritual progress is to be commended. However, he has not yet dedicated himself to Jehovah and committed himself to a life of service and sacrifice. He is still making necessary changes. He needs to complete the major changes involved in becoming a dedicated, baptized Christian before contemplating another major life change, such as marriage.

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15y ago

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