2 Corinthians 6:14
The scripture for today is 2 Corinthians 6:14
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what partnership has light with darkness?
In the Old Testament, God's people were told to not yoke different kinds of animals together (Deuteronomy 22:9-11). The purpose for this admonition is simple. Different kinds of animals have different dispositions and follow different inherent impulses. Trying to manage such a team would be difficult, if not impossible, for the farmer. The same holds true for relationships between believers and unbelievers. This is what the apostle Paul is warning God's people against in our scripture for today.
Any kind of intimate relationship with an unbeliever, whether it be business or personal, leads to conflict. A Christian in such a relationship usually must compromise on points of spiritual and scriptural conviction in order to maintain the relationship. While this text is not telling us that we cannot have friends who are unbelievers, it is telling us that we cannot be intimately yoked together with those friends. The purpose of those friendships is to illuminate the darkness in their lives as they see Christ in us, providing them with hope which ultimately leads to their salvation. Friendship is not fellowship. While both are based in the love of God, one (friendship) is God's love reaching out to serve, the other (fellowship) is mutual nurturing and submission. God does not want us to have fellowship with unbelievers. He wants us to nurture and be nurtured by those of the household of faith. Light does not fellowship with darkness. Light drives the darkness away. Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light. "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5 Those who are in Him will reflect His light, and partnership with darkness will not be possible as the light of God shines through us.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim