Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God.
Most of us are far removed from an agrarian way of life but it was the norm in ancient times so farm analogies abound in the Bible. Having a plow pulled by an ox and an ostrich would look funny and be very unproductive. Furthermore, they are from two different worlds as it were. This is not merely a “Thou shalt not…” from Paul. It is sound advice for the Christian that is tempted to be in union of two different worlds. As is often the case with Scripture, the keyword is “covenant” If a Christian becomes one with an unbeliever, they become one unproductive flesh for the kingdom.
Paul’s use of contrast is useful here. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to us by Christ but we become polluted by lawlessness. A little darkness makes our light shine less which hurts our witness. If we are the temple of the living God, we should see how God likes it when false gods and idols are brought into the temple. I can save you the trouble. He hated it when Israel did it because it violated their covenant with God. It was adultery. The Corinthians needed to be closer to God, not further away. We do too.
Dear Lord, thank you for the light in the darkness. May we not be yoked to lawlessness, darkness, and idols. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church