Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14
In this passage to the Corinthians, Paul contrasts Christian living with worldly living. Righteousness versus lawlessness. Light versus darkness. Christ versus Belial (or Satan). Believer versus unbeliever. God’s temple versus idols.
When Jesus interceded for the disciples and all who believed after them, He prayed, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (John 17:15-18). Believers are to be in the world and not of it, sanctified by the Word of God and spreading the Gospel to others.
As today’s verse highlights, Christ’s followers are pulling together for a different purpose than the world does. The believer’s values, mission, and direction are aligned with the ministry of Jesus. Believers are holy—wholly set apart for God’s plans and purposes, yoked together as one. Jesus also prayed, “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:11).
Regard fellow believers as coworkers in Christ with the same mission of glorifying God, strengthening and supporting each other, and reaching out in love to others. Pray for believers in the United States and in Congress to, as Jesus said, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Today’s Verse: 2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 5:11-16
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
