“Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness:
(2 Corinthians 6:14)

“Take my yoke upon you..”  (Matthew 11:29)

“…God is [L]ight… If we say that we have fellowship with [H]im, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth…”  (1 John 1)

 

There are very basic precepts in the Christ-ian faith but unfortunately, these basics are the ones (1’s) that we forget to follow. Some of these precepts include, loving one another, loving the brethren, loving neighbors, and loving enemies. Another precept we ignore is doing unto others as we would have done to us. Yet others include loving God and giving Christ the Preeminence in ALL things, seeking the Kingdom of God before everthing else. Some other precepts include loving not the world, praying and reading/studying the Word of God.

Many believers believe it is the pastor’s responsibility to “feed them” from God’s Word and they have no responsibility to study for themselves or feed themselves. Some pastors struggle with this ridiculous notion of church members and I say church member and not Christ-ian because if someone disputes the need OR DESIRE to feast upon the Word of God themselves are SUSPECT. Many a pastor will not say this because of the fear of offending and losing “members.”  This is thje blessing of a small ministry like the one God has entrusted me.  The fear of man has no hold upon me.  I can say to you reader, if you do not strudy and read (two (2) different actions) the Scriptures you are suspect to this writer and pastor.

Reader, if you see no need to read and study the Scriptures, especially if you be an adult you are suspect and so is your salvation.  If you have not an active prayer life, you are suspect.  Let me put thses two (2) into perspective for you.  Husbands, if you ceased speaking to your wife, what kind of relationship would you have?  Wives, my qquestion is the same to you.  Business person, how important is it to stay in touch with your clients?  Parents, how important is it to keep up with your children?  Singles, how important is it to keep us with your boy/girlfriend? The answers are obvious as is the application.

Reader, If you are interseted in a television program or a sport, how often do you keep up with it?  If you cannot watch it at it’s schedules time, do you not DVR it?  How many persons refuse to answer their telephone when their show is on? or how many roll their eyes and say ugh whena phone call interupts your show or sport? Those who are inbterested in the celebrity lifestyles, how often do you refer to magazines and or online reference?  Does God not deserve even more of your attention?  Has your favourite celebrity died for your sins, defeat death and rise again? They did not… they know not that you exist.  When you wake up in the  orning what it your fist thought? coffee, websites, what? Should God not be one’s first (1st) and last though of the day as well as through out your day?  The answer again, is obvious.

Another precept that is very basic but is so often ignored or not even considered, I know not which is worse. This precept speaks to being unequally yoked together with another. This is a precept that speaks to many different human relationships. When I was a teenager, I dated a catholic girl, I knew no better.  My Dad, who was not saved but knew enough about Scripture and human nature told me I shouldn’t be dating a catholic as we were an unsaved “Protestant” family.  I thought he was ridiculous ans most teens think of their fathers. I could not understand his reasoning. He explained a protestant and a catholic would never agree on how to raise a child, I was a teen and wan’t thinking about children. However as most adults do, they look back and see the wisdom of a parent.

Reader, whether you are a young person, a single person, or a business person you must not ever be unequally yoked together with an unbeliever or even an unbeliever that has not a passion for the Lord.  To be unequaaly yokes together with an unbeliver or even a “professing” but an “uncommitted believer” will only breed headache and heartache. One who is lost or uncommitted will not have the same values as a believer and even if they are highly ethical or moral individuals, it matters not for God has declared to be unequally yoked displeases Him.

I have worked with a former atheist (he is a believer now) yet he was the best and most honest man I have ever worked under.  I have worked under a Chrisian man and it was eye opening to say the least. The atheist was far easier to work with and he was, to tell you the truth, a stronget and more ethical and moral man than the beilever. However, I could never be yoked with either of them in a business where we would be equals, say staring up a business with them. I would prefer strarting a business with the moral atheist (or former atheist) long efore consider the “believer” but it would displease God for me to do so.

It is folly and blatant disobedience for a single person to yoke up with a lost person, either for dating or marriage. There is never an excuse for this broken precept. To violate this basic and common sense command is to violate God’s will and there will most asuuredely be harsh consequences and they need not even be caused by God. These consequences will come naturally.

The standards are different between the lost and the saved. Sexual issues will be there, financial issues, priciples on child rearing, church, politics, recreations, etc. etc. etc. will be struggles and the struggles between tow 92) Christ-ians living together in the bond of marriage will have their own difficulties, mush less a Christ-ian and a child of disobedience. Problems between to individuals, unequally yoked together are promised and guarenteed.

What if two (2) persons are married, neither are Christ-ian and one (1) is brough to the Christ-ian faith and the other is not. The Scriptures answer this.  If one (1) spouse becomes saved and the unsaved spouse wants to remain in the marriage the newly saved spouse must remain.  If the unsaved spouse departs, the saved ex-spouse is free to marry another. If the saved spouse leaves the unsaved and marries another the saved and departing spouse will be seen by God as an adulter/ess and the new spouse or “partner” will also be considered an adulterer/ess. Christ-ian, to follow Christ and to be yoked together with Christ will cost.

Christ tells us not to be yoked together with unbelievers but to be yokes with Him. That is to say, be under His control and reign. This tells us that to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers is to be under the reign and control of a lost person who shares not you beliefs and standards, to be unequally yoked with an unbeliever will be a prison or enslavement. If you do not believe me, ask someone serving a life sentence with an unsaved spouse. I have seen this and it is ugly.

May times if not most, the unsaved will influence the saved more than will the saved influence the lost as the saved has the carnal nature only and the Christ-ian also has the carnal nature remaining in addition to the new Spiritual narure. The idea some have about influencing a lost person through dating or marriage goes against the precepts, will and Wisdom of God. Your wisdom, plans, desires, ideas do not surpass the Wisdom of God and the evidence of others who have gone against His Wisdom and have and are paying the price for this blatant sin and offense against God.

Reader it is better to obey than to sacrifice future happiness and abundant life. We are to be yoked to Christ and to walk with Him in the Light as He is the Light. Paul askes the quesion, what accord does the light have with the darkness? When one (1) turns on the light, does not darkness disappear? When one (1) walks with Christ, the Light darkness will also disappear, therefore if darkness encroaches upon you or you are shrouded in darkness, are you walking in the Light with Christ, the Light?  Is you light so shinging if darkness does not scatter in your presence. Again, the answers are obvious.

We are not suggesting one (1) cannot be friends with the lost, but they must not be influenced by the lost and if they find themselves giving in to their friends darkness, they must depart and withdraw from that darkness without apology. You might say, “Yeah, but…”  to which I will retort, “No! there are not buts or ands or what abouts.” Obedience and one’s spiritual well being are at stake and are more important than worldly friendships.

If one does not make it clear that they are a Christ-ian and they stand for Christ and that Christ stands for them, they will be influenced by the darkness of their friendships with the lost, you will not be the exception. If one (1) takes a stand for Christ and with Christ, they’ll not need to actively withdraw themselves from the darkness or entrapment of worldy friendship, their friends will withdraw from them.

Reader, again, this is a basic Christ-ian precept and it is the plain and revealed will of God for your life. Do not cross God on this.

Godspeed.