Maintaining our Relationships

Yoked Oxen - Now You Know

This past Thursday during our Life Group we talke about how we should not be “yoked with unbelievers”.  The Scripture we looked at was 2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1.

In the NIV, we get that familiar language which says “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (emphasis mine).  I like the way the NLT puts it – “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers.”  This seems to bring the point together a little better.

Everyone on every team has to be like-minded in order to function well as a team.  If you are “teamed up” with someone in a dating relationship, in marriage, in a business partnership, or in a close friendship who does not have the same religious belief system that you have, there will inevitably be conflict.  In the end, the conflict will only be resolved by one-side compromising or changing their belief system.  Unfortunately, most of the time (especially in dating relationships) that is the Christian compromising or giving up on what they believe in order to please the other individual in the relationship.

As Christians, we should “team up” with other Christians who can help us grow in our relationship with Christ.  Our BFFs or those in our circle of 5 … the people closest to us … should be growing Christians.

But let’s be careful here.  What I am not saying is that you cut off all ties with non-Christians.  The last commandment Jesus left us before He ascended into Heaven was to “go and make disciples”.  How are you going to do that if you don’t have any relationships with non-Christians?  You most likely are not.  Cold turkey evangelism hasn’t proven to be very effective.

One thing to note about this passage for all you dating people out there who says “this Scripture only pertains to marriage.”  This Scripture says NOTHING about marriage.  It is purely speaking about relationships … ALL OF OUR relationships.

On … and one more thing – just to be on the safe side.  If you are married … stick with it.  That is definitely a relationship that should not be severed.  Check out 1 Corinthians 7 for more info on that.

Go with God,
Donald Buttram