Tag: unequally yoked
Don’t be unequally yoked!
Scripture reading for August 5th: 2nd Corinthians 6
God has called those who believe on His Son, Jesus Christ, to a life that is separated from sin and set apart for Him and His will. There are only two groups of people in the world–the redeemed and the lost! The Corinthians had been redeemed from a pagan cultural system where idolatry and worldly ways drew many people into deep bondage and darkness. They needed a strong word of instruction to keep them moving towards Jesus!
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-15) Paul used a questioning technique that was common to the rabbinical teaching of his day to draw the church members into thinking about their ways. They had been redeemed from the worldly culture of their day, but many were still yoked in unholy relationships and business partnerships. These partnerships could possibly lead these believers back into the world and Paul the pastor was warning them!
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” “Therefore come out from them and be separate,” says the Lord, “Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty.” (2nd Corinthians 6:16-18) God’s precious promises and call to holiness should motivate us to please Him. We must live separated lives and still reach out to the lost of the world to bring the Gospel of Christ to them.
Those “Hittite” women!
Scripture Reading for January 12–Genesis 27-31
“When Esau was 40 years old, he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.” Genesis 26:34-35
Abraham sent his servant to find a bride for Isaac to insure the godly line would be continued. Isaac and Rebekah had the twins Jacob and Esau. But Esau had a taste for these Hittite women, not just one, but two wives at the same time! It seems that Esau was oblivious to the grief he caused his godly parents. He went right ahead in spite of their personal marriage story and probably their godly training and advice. Marrying one was bad enough, but two was too much of a bad thing!
God wants us to walk by faith and in obedience to His Word. He has placed those in authority over us to help us learn how to live and please the Lord. Choosing a mate is one of the most important choices we make in life. We as parents know our children and we know God (hopefully). We should give godly instruction to our children to marry only believers. We should help them by setting an example of a godly marriage and home and helping them evaluate the kind of man or woman who would complement their personality. This person, according to Scripture should always be a believer and strong person of faith! (2nd Corinthians 6:14-18) In fact, this is one of the only restrictions God puts on marriage. (Marriage is only between a man and woman.)
Why does God require this? According to Scripture (Malachi 2:15) He desires godly offspring! It’s simple enough to understand. Believing parents have a better chance of raising godly children! It is still not a guarantee because each person has a free will to choose faith or self. The Christian worldview on marriage needs re-emphasis in our world today! Unbelieving mates and unequally yoked marriages cause great grief for believers and God when He sees children without a godly example in the home! Don’t marry “those Hittite women”!
” Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what have righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” 2nd Corinthians 6:14-15
Holy separation from the world!
Scripture reading for September 3rd: 2nd Corinthians 6:14-7:7
When one is reconciled to God and is filled with God’s love, the things of this world lose their attraction. The Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctification. This word ‘sanctification’ means being ‘made holy’ or ‘set apart’ for God. The Holy Spirit helps us to separate ourselves from the worldly influences and ways that we had before salvation. When we become a ‘new creation’, the old things pass away and new things come that are from God. (2nd Corinthians 5:17-18)
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-16a) Paul urged the Corinthians to not be yoked with unbelievers. He asked them questions with an obvious answer of ‘none’ or ‘nothing’ to emphasize their need to maintain separation and cooperate with the Holy Spirit.
They were now the temple of the living God. God lived in them and called them to be a holy and separated people! God wanted to be their Father and they would be called ‘sons’ and ‘daughter’s’ of God the Father. They would be known as the people of God. These promises of God were “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ Jesus! (2nd Corinthians 1:18) These promises should motivate believers at Corinth and everywhere to perfect holiness in reverence for God.
This process of holy separation is initiated by the Holy Spirit living in us. He is the Spirit of Truth who reveals Christ to us. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and the coming judgment. He reveals to us all that we are and have through our relationship with God in Christ. (1st Corinthians 2:10-12) As we study the word of God, we are also required to do our part in a response of faith. We put off the old ways of the world and put on the new ways of the Spirit.
“Do not be yoked with unbelievers!” Paul’s instruction and questions were for self-examination. Take a moment today and ask yourself the questions Paul asked. Are there unbelievers who are influencing you because of close associations? Take Paul’s advice today!
Those “Hittite” Women!
Scripture Reading for January 12–Genesis 27-31
“When Esau was 40 years old, he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and also Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite. They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah.” Genesis 26:34-35
Abraham sent his servant to find a bride for Isaac to insure the godly line would be continued. Isaac and Rebekah had the twins Jacob and Esau. But Esau had a taste for these Hittite women, not just one, but two wives at the same time! It seems that Esau was oblivious to the grief he caused his godly parents. He went right ahead in spite of their personal marriage story and probably their godly training and advice. Marrying one was bad enough, but two was too much of a bad thing!
God wants us to walk by faith and in obedience to His Word. He has placed those in authority over us to help us learn how to live and please the Lord. Choosing a mate is one of the most important choices we make in life. We as parents know our children and we know God (hopefully). We should give godly instruction to our children to marry only believers. We should help them by setting an example of a godly marriage and home and helping them evaluate the kind of man or woman who would complement their personality. This person, according to Scripture should always be a believer and strong person of faith! (2nd Corinthians 6:14-18) In fact, this is one of the only restrictions God puts on marriage. (Marriage is only between a man and woman.)
Why does God require this? According to Scripture (Malachi 2:15) He desires godly offspring! It’s simple enough to understand. In Genesis 4, there were Cain and Abel. One feared God, the other didn’t. In Genesis 6-8 there were Noah’s offspring and all the rest who were wicked! From Abraham and Sarah, there were Ishmael and Isaac. From Isaac and Rebekah there were Jacob and Esau. Believing parents have a better chance of raising godly children! It is still not a guarantee because each person has a free will to choose faith or self. The Christian worldview on marriage needs re-emphasis in our world today! Unbelieving mates and unequally yoked marriages cause great grief and pain to believers and to the heart of God when He see children without a godly example in the home! Don’t marry “those Hittite women”!
” Then Rebekah said to Isaac, “I’m disgusted with living because of these Hittite women. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land, from Hittite women like these, my life will not be worth living.” Genesis 27:46
” Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what have righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” 2nd Corinthians 6:14-15