June 2
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty,” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
People from various walks of life often speak about the benefits that individuals can enjoy through diversity. Even leaders from the various religious denominations frequently speak favorably of the diversity of teachings, beliefs, and practices among the various religious groups.
The apostle Paul addresses the diversity in religious teachings, beliefs, and practices and he calls it ‘unequally yoking together.’ To understand the picture, remember that in the days of the apostles, much field work and transportation of heavy loads from one place to another was done with oxen. A wooden yoke was put around the necks of two oxen, which enabled them to pull and work together. Let this clarify the picture a little more – it would be an unequal yoking to put an ox and a horse together as a team. They could not work and pull together!
The apostle pleaded with the Corinthian Christians, asking them to not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Later, he asks, “What part has a believer with an unbeliever?” In the matter of believing how one is saved, a believer and an unbeliever have nothing in common. The Christian believes in the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God and the only Savior from sin, death, and hell. The unbeliever will have no part of such faith!
The apostle continues, “What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?” Righteousness and lawlessness have nothing in common. Light and darkness do not exist in the same place at the same time.
“What accord has Christ with Belial? . . . And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” Belial is another Biblical name for the devil. What agreement and harmony is there between Christ and the devil? What agreement is there in worship in the house of the one true God and in the so-called church that worships man-made idols? Everybody knows the obvious answer to all of these questions. There is no basis for fellowship because there is no unity, harmony, and agreement.
Therefore, the bottom line is, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters.” We are the sons and daughters of our heavenly Father by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered and died on the cross to take away our sins and who rose again from the grave to conquer death and the devil.
Holy Scripture, the inspired and inerrant Word of God, is the only source for all our Christian teachings. Scripture does not approve of diversity in Christian teachings, beliefs, and practices.
“God’s Word is our great heritage,
And shall be ours forever;
To spread its light from age to age
Shall be our chief endeavor.
Through life it guides our way,
In death it is our stay.
Lord, grant, while worlds endure,
We keep its teachings pure
Throughout all generations.” Amen.