Yoked with unbelievers?
by Pastor Mark Lieschke
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Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
We live in this world. We have constant interaction with people of the world. We have powerful influences around us, wanting us to conform to the world. We can’t avoid having relationships with people who don’t share our faith. In fact, we are encouraged and challenged to build relationships with them, serve them and be Christ to them.
So, how are we supposed to understand Paul’s words about not being yoked together with unbelievers?
There may well be people we should not associate with, not because of who they are, but because of the evil influence they may have over us, especially in our faith. Any association with unbelievers that threatens our desire and ability to confess our Christian faith is to be avoided.
And more than that, those who have been saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ can’t live like those who don’t know or keep God’s holy will. We can’t participate in their ways of life or share in their values or faith systems.
We have a much higher calling – one that challenges us to think carefully about how we interact with the world and to be bold in standing our ground in the face of temptation.
This call is from a gracious God who has committed himself to us and gives us all that we need to be able to grow to become the people he still wants us to be, reflecting his love and grace in all that we do.
Loving Lord, keep us holy. Please help us identify those things and those people in this world that may hinder our relationship with you. Surround us with your grace so we can grow to become more like you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Mark Lieschke is a retired pastor living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. He served in parishes in South Australia, New Zealand and New South Wales before being elected as bishop of the LCANZ’s NSW and ACT District. Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, walking on the beach and relaxing.
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