He says he's been baptized as a kid and he believes in God, but when I as him if he believes in heaven he say he doesn't know. That it is all to complex and he doesn't think he's supposed to know. For me as a christian I find great peace in knowing that one day I will be in heaven, meet my father and never feel pain again. It saddens me that he doesn't have that same hope. I don't want to force God on him but I feel that I am supposed to do something. I go to church on Sundays, he's went me maybe 3 times in 2 years! I wish he would go with me! How can I share God with him without forcing it on him!? What can I do! i know God has got to come first if this marriage is going to work!
2006-09-08 04:00:04 · 48 answers · asked by faith 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think, to start with, prayer and fasting is essential.
I think you should be ready to support him discreetly with a word of hope and speak Jesus� words in appropriate time. But the most important issue is your relationship with Jesus Christ and the impact in your life. God Himself, through you, will show his divine grace and love, necessary to attract your husband to His Son Jesus Christ. Just be patient, loving and submissive to him. God will grasp every situation possible and will give chances to your husband. Chances are, that God brought you together because he wants to save your husband as well.
The scriptures say... “In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; seeing your pure behavior in fear. (1st Peter 3:1-2). For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? (�Cor 7:16a)?
I hope the best,
God bless you
2006-09-08 04:43:50 · answer #1 · answered by Dimitris-Greece 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I understand where you are coming from. My husband & I just recently joined our church together & I was baptized. It took my husband nearly 3 years to get me to start believing & worshiping God. The straw that broke the camel's back if you will was the death of his father. It was a wake up call that we are not guarenteed another day on this earth & if we did not want to spend all eternity in hell then we better change our ways & get in church. So we did & we love it. Our marriage is a billion times better - we used to fight like cats & dogs. Our household in general has become better - financially, appearance, etc. Praying is a huge step - I still have not quite taken that leap to pray often, but that is something I have to deal with personally. Nudge your husband gently about church, but do not force him. My husband nagging me just pushed me farther away from the idea. Perhaps you need to find a new church together that appeals to you both. Find a church that has all of the aspects you feel you both need to feel fulfilled in a church. My attendence at church also helped to bring a new bible study class into effect - New Converts - people new to the bible & the study of God. Maybe that is something your husband needs - a beginner course. Then again, something traumatic may have to occur before he realizes he wants to have an influence on his eternal life. I hope I have given you some words of encouragement. Being 24 & new to the Christian world is hard, but I imagine it is hard for anyone. Good Luck & God Bless!!
2006-09-08 05:13:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is it so important that he believe exactly as you do? That he share exactly the same opinions? Why can't you embrace your differences, or is this the crux in Christian marriage: one accuses the other of not believing sufficiently.....
Jesus said you are supposed to NOT get divorced, he's not beating you, he's not abusive, the only thing that he is doing 'wrong' is not sharing your exact opinion and not doing your religion the way you want it done.
How would you feel if he felt the same way about you: that you were too fervent or pious, so he wanted a divorce due to your beliefs?
I think you are being self-righteous, I feel sorry for your husband and I hope you don't have any children--to break up a home because of this is a MUCH BIGGGER SIN than his "lack' of religion in your eyes.....
no wonder christians have such a high divorce rate.....ONE TOO MANY EGOS IN THE KITCHEN.......
2006-09-08 04:10:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
There's only so much you can do. Pray, of course, and be a good example. Be all the good things that a Christian wife should be for him: willing, submitting to him as the head of household, strengthening him and turning to him for strength. Then when he or someone else asks why you do those things, say it's because you're a Christian and that's the way God wants it. You'd be suprised how much effect that can have. Our culture gives a view of Christians as prudish, inward centered, so when a non-christian or bearly-christian has a wife that submits or a husband that seduces, it makes them think that they might he wrong about religion and give it another look.
2006-09-08 04:11:42 · answer #4 · answered by Sifu Shaun 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shouldn't you have found all this out before you married him? I mean, seriously, are you a mailorder bride or something? If he is happy with his religious beliefs, then you should be too. Provide him with a good example, don't nag (unless you want a divorce), and don't make your kids choose between you. If you feel you have to do something, pray for him. Not everyone feels that church is the only way to worship and if you try to force him to choose between you and God, you will probably lose. Forcing him (either outright or through passive aggression) to go and be miserable will only hurt both of you in the end.
2006-09-08 04:16:58 · answer #5 · answered by Jensenfan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
As a christian, you probably believe that you get into heaven no matter what you believe, as long as you are a good person (unless you are an extremist christian, which you don't sound like). I think religion is personal to each one's self. Be sure to include him in your prayers, but don't force your beliefs on him. Let him believe how he chooses, and as long as he is a good person, it shouldn't conflict with your belief about where you two will end up in the afterlife.
I think if there was a God up there he would tell you to live your life first... that's what he put us here for -- to live our lives and help those that we enounter while we live here. I think your marriage together is definitely more important than whatever he believes.
2006-09-08 04:11:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First,
Pray for him! (which I assume you already are)
If he is a Christian, and believes in God, ask him if he will attend Church with you, then maybe make sure to go out for Breakfast or lunch after, what ever you both like to do. Make it a part of the week he can look forward to with you.
Don't be afraid to tell him that you Love him and really would appreciate it if you did not have to go to Church by yourself.
When you talk about Children, ask him if he plans on attending Church with them, I can tell you if you have sons and Dad does not go to Church, they most likely will not go for long either.
Going to Church is something you either get in the habit of doing, or not doing. It is so easy to just sleep in!
One more thing, try to make Sundays special, cut back on work projects, (we are not supposed to work on Sundays anyway)
schedule a cookout, or Short day trip once in awhile on Sunday after Church.
Don't be afraid to nudge him! Us men do need the guidance of our wives from time to time! In the long run he will thank you, he respects your views or he would not have married you in the first place.
Good Luck and God Bless you both!
PS, mr Regan, contrary to popular bliefs, Catholics do NOT discourage reading the Bible!
Peace!
2006-09-08 04:11:48 · answer #7 · answered by C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all God don't judge people on weather they go to church every time the doors are opened. As long as your husband believes in God in his heart that is all that matters. You share God with him every day. Just because he doesn't go to Church every time the door are opened don't mean that he's not a christian. It sounds like to me that you are the one with the problem. God will come first in y our marriage as long as you both believe in him in your heart. It sound like to me you are the one with the complex. It sounds like you are trying to find a reason to get out of your marrige and you are going about it the wrong way. You NEVER USe God as an excuse. You can't make anyone go to church if they aren't willing all you can do is pray for them and let God lead them in the righ direction.
2006-09-08 04:17:52 · answer #8 · answered by Tonya 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You be a christian woman. That's how. The New testament says that through you he is sanctified so your kids are in God's favor. It also says that you can "convince" him by your actions as well.
You must love him regardless of his current beliefs for that is what you promised. You could be honest with him and tell him you understand his beliefs and respect him, but you can also "ask" him to consider yours and the importance of it to you.
You could share the Bible with him and the hope that is in it.
I know the Catholics discourage people reading the bible and I wonder if you are one, because Most christians that are not catholic do not baptise at youth but it is rather an accptance of Jesus as their Savior that they make later in their life.
It is the acceptance of Jesus as his savior that he needs to understand and to accept the gifts that are there for him if he does.
Perhaps reading the Book of Matthew and then Romans would be a good start for you and him to share! (Romans is wild stuff!)
The marriage will work when you and your husband put each other before yourselves as it say in Ephesians chapter 5. Pick up a copy of the NIV bible for easier reading..
Prayer is important at this time too. If I can help you, email me
2006-09-08 04:16:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Have you ever showed him what God says in his word about Heaven? The best advice I can give is keep going to church and ask each sunday and wednesday if he wants to go. If he says no then you continue to go. When you are blessed from a service at church, share that with him. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
2006-09-08 04:14:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I understand what you are going through.
Why don't you see if he wants to go to a bible study with you? Many churches have "couples" type programs; if he isn't interested in a bible study, there may be some fun program you and he can join.
In my opinion, if he does not want to go to church with his wife, he probably does have his doubts. Otherwise, it would be so easy for him just to go to church with you and not have you questioning him.
It is a very good sign that he does not talk "against" God and does not try to talk you out of going to church.
I am sure you have prayed about this. If you are like me, sometimes hearing the answer is hard. Are you comfortable talking to your minister about this? Someone with much more experience may be able to give you some ideas.
Good luck and God Bless you.
2006-09-08 04:12:22 · answer #11 · answered by Patti C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋