Is He Really A Believer?

Q

I am concerned about my husband. He insists he is a believer but is not living a victorious Christian life. He is an alcoholic and has distanced his entire family, all his former friends, and I am at the end of my tolerance as well. He keeps asking the why everyone hates him and why nothing he tries is ever successful (monetarily). He has been fraudulent in business, thinks nothing of lying, and does it regularly. I have tried to tell him that it may be possible his failure is due to these very things. He doesn’t want to hear it and thinks its a bunch of bull. The way he talks and acts I’m no longer sure he’s a believer. What do you think?

A

Only the Lord knows for sure if your husband is saved. While his behavior makes one wonder, it’s what’s in his heart that counts. He could be in a state of rebellion over his inability to control his drinking. All we can say is that if he was ever saved, then He’s forever saved (Ephes 1:13-14).

I would suggest you study the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-31) and pray that the Lord would cause your husband to change his mind about his life and bring him back to his Father, like He did with the prodigal son.

Also, when people complain that no one likes them, it often means they don’t like themselves. Learning that Jesus loves them just the way they are can cause them to turn to Him and seek forgiveness for their sins. Maybe you can be the one through whom your husband sees the love of Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17)