When your Partner is not Saved

[sunrize]

OK. This is very hard for me. I am married to a wonderfull man, and happily so ,for 13 yrs. He was raised catholic and conciders himself a non practicing catholic. After the birth of our first child a felt a strong pull, but was unaware what it was, until a friend of mine invited me to her church. I went and was immediatly aware of what the pull had been, the pull was my Lord, calling me back. I renewed my faith, have raised my children in faith, they are 9 and 6 and both are saved. The 9 yr old understands enough to realize her daddy is not saved, and cries at times, asking me what to do B/C when she gets to heaven, her daddy is not going to be there. It breaks my heart. He refused to go with us to church, even though we almost never miss. Won't say grace with us, and gets angry whenever we discuss it. I'm not looking for answers, B/C I know that there aren't any, but I wondered if anyone else has this experience, and how you deal with it.

[Carrie Earls]

Wow.

I have never had your experience, Sunrize, so I can only imagine how hard it must be. I have two children of my own, and I can only imagine my oldest girl's questions and fears (she is only four) if her Daddy were not saved.

I will pray for you and your sweet family!

[jamesglewisf]

This is just heartbreaking. This kind of thing is hard enough for adults, I can't imagine what your sweet daughter is going through.

I don't have any personal experience in this. I can offer some advice from Scripture, but not from experience. Let me know if this will help; otherwise, I'll just be praying for you.

[sunrize]

Thank you all Your prayers will be appreciated.

[wdn2000]

I wanted to let ya know there is a great book out that I think will help you. It's called, The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie O'martian. You can find it at any of the Christian bookstores or any of them could order it for you. It helped me through a really tough time and helped me to understand the importance of praying for my husband. Good luck in finding the book. I am sure you will get a blessing from it!

[nb]

Children only believe what parents teach them........who taught your children that their father won't go to "heaven"?

I'm not "saved"...........can't tell that my daughter thinks about it at all. Then again, her mother is one of those "nonpracticing Catholics", whatever that means.

[jamesglewisf]

Originally posted by nb
Children only believe what parents teach them........who taught your children that their father won't go to "heaven"?That's not completely true. Children learn from people other than their parents, but their parents should point them in the right direction when they are taught something wrong.

Most Chistians believe that without faith in Jesus Christ (being saved), you will not get into heaven. We believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to save us from the penalty for our sins and to purchase a place for us in heaven. When the jailer asked Paul and Silas, "What must I do to be saved?" they told him to "believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved."

Anyhow, her daughter's question is based upon a correct understanding of Scripture, regardless of who taught it to her. The real issue is how to teach your children to cope with the fact that not all people accept Christ as their Savior.

[jamesglewisf]

I hope that didn't sound harsh, nb. I apologize if it did.

My guess is that she was taught sound doctrine and probably drew the conclusion herself. It means she has a clear understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

Most new Christians have a burden for sharing their newfound faith with their loved ones. It's pretty normal to be upset when your family or friends reject your Savior.

[wdn2000]

James I don't think you sounded harsh. Anyone that believes and reads the Bible can find the answers. It simply tells you. Believe<which means you have to be old enough to understand>and be Baptized. I am sure this will step on toes..and I cannot apologize for what I believe...nowhere in the Bible does it say...Sprinkle or Christen. It says Baptize through Submersion. I hope everyone is having a great day. God Bless.