2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2086
Unequally Yoked: yoked differently
From the Greek word 'heterozugeó' (pronounced het-er-od-zoog-eh'-o): different kinds of people joined together but unevenly matched. Used to describe Christians who join themselves together with others whose belief is not the same as their own; whose values/ethics/morals do not line up with the Word of God and run contrary to God's kingdom.
A yoke is used to join two together. In the farmer's field it is used to join two strong animals together. Deuteronomy 22:10 "Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together." Why? Donkeys are not known for being willing participants in heavy labor. So the ox would end up doing all the work. They would be unequally yoked together.
The same happens in the church. Though Paul was able to found a strong, thriving church in Corinth, this city already had a reputation for unrighteousness, for wickedness. Their evil deeds were so common practice that it seemed normal.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Around half a million people lived in this seaport community. Immorality was normal. A moral lifestyle lived according to God's Word was strange, peculiar. The two could not and should not join together in God's places of worship.
As the adage goes, "One good apple spoils the rest". The good apples cannot, nor will they ever be able to, produce good from bad. Bad apples will always make the good around them just as bad and sometimes worse than the bad apple is.
This is happening now in too many churches across the world. Sin is not being recognized as sin. Sin is flaunting itself and changing the written Word of God, leaving out the warnings and judgments of God. This, too, is sin. It is not the church's job to changed the Word; it is the Word's work to change the believer!
Idolatry is idol worship. It is not God worship. Prostitution is sharing your body for money. Temple prostitution was perfectly legal and normal. But not in God's house. Gambling on professional athletic events was normal. Everything we have is from God. So to throw away perfectly good money on imperfect activities is not an act a Christ-follower does.
The people who came to this port to trade came from all over the world and some took up residence in Corinth. It became a melting pot of cultures and religions. Merchants, sailors, slaves (both free and not free). Having different backgrounds they all learned to live together in their sin.
When you're living in the dark, you're not aware it's dark until a light shines into your darkness and reveals where you are. The gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ is the Light which shines in the darkness of men's souls revealing sin.
Along comes Paul who shares the gospel with many of them. They get saved and baptized and the church begins and grows. They used to be like the city around them, but now (1 Corinthians 6:11) they are washed in the blood of Christ, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, justified in Christ' Name and the Spirit.
They are set apart, different, on purpose. If they were to allow the wickedness of the city around them to influence them in any way in their church, they would have lost their purpose, their way. Sometimes it is difficult to live different. But with Christ living in us and the Holy Spirit of God's direction it is not only possible, but preferable.
After all, what would people think? What if my family stops talking to me? What if my friends no longer want to associate with me? It is a decision each of us must make when we are on the brink of making that choice: Follow Christ as He bids us follow Him or stay in our comfort zone?
When we are yoked with Christ, the burden is light. He says so Himself. Matthew 11:29-30 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
We who believe enjoy being joined together with Christ. We did not enjoy being yoked together with sin. We saw the joy others had in Christ and wanted that for ourselves. And we sought after Him and surrendered ourselves to Him.
We are the bride and Christ is our bridegroom. Know you not that the bridegroom is returning for His bride? Sooner than you think.
Saved by Love - Kathryn Scott
Your Word - Awakening Music
There Is One Gospel - City Alight
The Power of The Cross - Casting Crowns
By Your Spirit - Influence Music & Kim Walker-Smith
