Support Unbeliever's Remarriage?

[Dordrecht]

An unbelieving sibling of mine is getting remarried next week, for the third time, to another unbeliever who is also divorced. At least one of my sibling's previous divorces was for reasons other than sexual sin outside of the marriage.

Does the fact that they are unbelievers play a significant role in how I respond to the marriage? Is it correct to give a wedding gift or offer congratulations? They are living together at the present time, and may be getting married, in part, to "make it right" insofar as their understanding of things, but is it making things right or is it making things more wrong? Factors playing into my mind are, in order of priority: 1) Doing the right thing. 2) Not wanting to harm the relationship I have with my sibling. 3) Not looking like a killjoy or radical, out of touch freak.

 

[BryanW92]

Your absence from your sibling's wedding is not going to undo the divorces or any other sins. Your "righteous disapproval" will not lead them to Christ. The fact is that they are getting married. Now, if they mockingly ask you to bless their marriage with one of those, "Hey, you're a Jesus guy. How about praying for this one to last?" kind of requests, then I'd have to decline. (I have been asked that before.)

But, above all, be happy for your brother or sister.

 

[twin1954]

Remember that the Gospel is about forgiveness. You don't have to condone the union but you also don't have to condemn them for it. The Lord told the woman caught in adultery to go and sin no more but He didn't condemn her. The woman at the well had five husbands but the Lord didn't condemn her He saved her.

Now by no means put your blessing on their sin. Take the opportunity to talk to them about what the marriage union symbolizes. Speak to them of Christ. Don't give them your blessing give them the Gospel. It may be that the Lord will work in their situation to bring them to faith in Him. If He does their past doesn't matter.