THE UNEQUAL YOKE Here is one of the strongest passages in the New Testament on the separation of a Christian from the world and its lifestyle. Unfortunately it has too often been misused. It has become a basis for legalism as well as un-Christlike separation between churches and individual believers. There are heart-breaking stories of its cruel misuse. Yet it has a strong message for us. Rightly used and obeyed, it can save many heartaches and continuous problems. This passage is often taken to refer particularly to marriage. It can have other applications as well. Whenever a Christian links himself or herself with the world, or with only unconverted companions, that believer is headed for trouble. Paul used a simple analogy to illustrate his point. A yoke is a heavy wooden bar with large loops at each end. It fits around the necks of two animals in such a way that it forces them to act as one. In Deuteronomy 22:10 God forbade the yoking of an ox and an ass. They would be entirely incompatible. Paul was saying that certain relationships between an unbeliever and a believer will prove incompatible. A yoke tends to be permanent and in God's sight, marriage is to be a permanent relationship. Paul stated that a Christian should not enter into a union in which he or she would be permanently bound to a nonbeliever. Where one partner becomes a Christian after marriage, Paul has already given advice in 1 Corinthians 7: "Stay with that partner as long as possible." Paul's final word states one more reason why there should not be such a union. Verse 16 says, "We are the temple of the living God." The Holy Spirit is living within the believer and is seeking to lead that believer closer and closer to Christ. Can He do that if the believer is fellowshipping with those opposed to Christ and all that He stands for? Remember, obedience and separations are stepping stones on the pathway to God's blessing. |
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