In these trying times, the church has fragmented, making it challenging for young people to find compatible mates within their faith. The importance of marrying within the church is emphasized as a critical guideline, reflecting the inspired Scripture that marriage should only be with another believer (I Corinthians 7:39). Marrying outside the church often leads to struggles over spiritual matters such as teaching children, tithing, attending feasts, and differing moral values, frequently resulting in divorce or ongoing unhappiness. Even when such marriages seem to work, they are marred by persistent issues. Beyond spiritual compatibility, ethnic and cultural similarities are significant for a successful union. Mixed-race or culturally diverse marriages can create distress, particularly for children who may struggle with acceptance from either side of the family. The blending of personalities is far easier when backgrounds are similar, reducing potential conflicts over traditions and values. The dangers of dating outside the church or race are highlighted, as such relationships can lead to serious emotional involvement and marriage, often with detrimental consequences. Young people are urged to prioritize their relationship with God over the pursuit of marriage, especially in these stressful end times, and to trust in Him to provide a suitable partner at the right time. Patience and faith in God's plan are essential, as He understands the plight of the youth and will ultimately fulfill their deepest longings for a godly marriage.

I must state clearly that dating and marrying outside the church is not recommended, as it presents a massive stumbling block and can lead to significant trouble in the future. The principle of not being unequally yoked with unbelievers applies strongly to marriage, even if not specifically mentioned in every context. Marriage is one of the closest alliances, where husband and wife should be united as one, sharing common goals and beliefs for the good of the family. When partners are not aligned in faith, it becomes nearly impossible to achieve God's purpose, as the two ways of life are inherently incompatible. Practically speaking, having an unconverted mate or dating outside the church creates constant challenges. How can one keep the Sabbath without interference from an unconverted partner? Issues such as dietary differences or teaching children about faith often lead to friction or compromise. Even if an unconverted mate is moral, the fundamental differences in belief systems cause strain, complicating life unnecessarily. Choosing to enter such a situation knowingly seems unwise, as it sets one up for potential failure, with success requiring great effort and often resulting in lingering tension. God's instruction to His people has always been to avoid intermarrying with those outside the faith, as it risks turning them back to the ways they were called from. The principle remains unchanged, regardless of circumstances like a scattered church or limited potential mates. Taking matters into one's own hands, rather than trusting God, can lead to disastrous consequences, as seen in historical examples where such decisions caused lasting strife across generations. If one encounters someone outside the church who seems suitable, extreme caution is necessary. Do not compromise God's way of life in any manner. Introduce them to your beliefs openly and provide them with church literature to gauge their receptivity. If they show resistance or dismissal, it is best to end the relationship promptly. Only if they respond positively and progress toward conversion, including counseling for baptism, should the relationship continue, and marriage should not occur until after their baptism. This ensures that conversion is genuine and not motivated by the desire for marriage alone. Such situations are rare, and the risks of proceeding without caution are high. The ideal in marriage is to find someone comparable, sharing similar beliefs, experiences, and interests, as this fosters the strongest unions. Opposites may attract initially due to curiosity or thrill, but long-term compatibility relies on shared values and goals. God's design is for partners to be united, not pulling in different directions, ensuring they can walk together in harmony. Trusting in God to provide a suitable mate, even amidst challenging circumstances, is essential, as He remains faithful to His promises and unchanging principles.

Many singles in God's church feel a strong pull toward the world, often seeking companionship to alleviate loneliness. They are drawn to those whose looks and personality are appealing, hoping to find someone to share time and laughter with. However, in their pursuit, they often turn away from like-minded individuals within the church, foolishly looking to the world instead. Dating outside the church carries severe obstacles and penalties, far worse than dating within the church, akin to a dangerous gamble where the risks of choosing the wrong partner are high. God commands through the apostle Paul not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, highlighting a profound dissimilarity between believers and non-believers that renders such intimate unions improper and harmful. This principle extends to marriage and other close personal connections, emphasizing that there should be no fellowship or communion between righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness. Singles in the church sometimes justify dating outside by claiming there is no one suitable within the church, reasoning that they might convert a worldly partner. Yet, this approach often disregards God's will, presumptuously attempting to force His hand, and rarely results in the desired outcome. Another argument is the fear of aging without marrying, feeling they might miss out on life's experiences. However, physical marriage is not a prerequisite for life or the Kingdom of God, and making a wrong choice can lead to lifelong hardship and sorrow. Reality often sets in when an unconverted spouse resents the believer's faith, creating daily struggles over spiritual practices and lifestyle differences. These strains can be used by satan to pressure compromise and weaken faith. The proper order of developing relationships involves discernment and patience, starting with non-romantic friendship before considering romance, ensuring that the other person shows signs of repentance and alignment with God's way of life. Rushing into relationships with unbelievers risks spiritual compromise and heartache. God desires for singles to wait on Him, trusting that He will provide the right mate at the right time according to His will, avoiding the pitfalls of unequal yoking and the resultant spiritual conflicts.

In Malachi's time, many divorces and mixed marriages occurred among God's people, including the priests who should have resisted such practices but instead encouraged them. Malachi condemns these mixed marriages—unions between believers and unbelievers—as a violation of God's righteous standard for a godly marriage. He addresses both laypeople and priests, noting that the priests' permissive attitude and poor example contributed to the loose moral climate of the day. This problem was evident during Nehemiah's second residence in Jerusalem, where marital infidelity among the priests, including the high priest's grandson, was rebuked. Mixed marriage, the union of a believer with an unbeliever, is never God's will, whether in a first or subsequent marriage. In Malachi's era, men divorced their Jewish wives to marry Gentile women, a frequent fault in Israel. While it is true that an unbelieving spouse might be influenced by the consistent testimony of a believing partner, this encouragement applies to those who were married as unbelievers and later became believers. It is not an authorization for a believer to marry a non-Christian. Often, such mixed marriages bring great sorrow and pain to the Christian, and though God's grace may sometimes draw the non-Christian to Christ, it is not the usual outcome. Willfully disobeying God by marrying a non-Christian should not be justified by the hope of converting the spouse, as this rarely happens. God, being a God of faithfulness and truth, hates infidelity in marriage. Divorce, often resulting from mixed marriages, represents a breaking of faith with one's spouse. Though God allows divorce under certain circumstances, it grieves His heart when it occurs for reasons outside those specified. The harm caused by divorce, especially to children, is significant, depriving them of a stable home and a biblical model of a God-blessed family. Yet, God offers support to a faithful parent in such situations, ensuring that lessons are learned and character is developed as needed.