So in Paul using this metaphor, and telling us not to be unequally yoked, is he saying there is no value in an equal partnership with unbelievers? He says it himself: “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” Even if we were to look at verse 17, it concludes the thought commanding us to “come out from their midst and be separate.”
So really, what I want to know is this: Do I have to separate and stop being friends, or even interacting with people if they’re not saved?
A – “I think we are supposed to be friends with unbelievers, we just need to be weary of their influence over our walk. This applies to even my Christian friends. Like some of my Christian friends who don’t believe the same doctrine, or are not convicted in the same areas as me, I can’t do the same things as they do. So overall, I don’t think it’s a matter of believer vs unbeliever, but rather a matter of influence and agreement.”
“Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” – Amos 3:3
P –“ We have to also consider other scriptures, especially when making doctrinal statements, and all scripture are from God and are all equally weighted. So let’s look at this in the light of evangelism. Paul speaks on becoming a Jew to the Jews, a Gentile to the Gentiles, etc [see 1 Cor 9:19-23], all for the sake of winning souls. Being all things to all men for the sake of winning souls. What he’s saying is that we need to relate with them, not that we need to compromise, nor do we need to dissociate ourselves. If that makes sense.”
It echoes the common phrase of being “in the world, but not of the world.” Not being unequally yoked with unbelievers does not dismiss out resposiblity to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
N – “There was definitely a time where I was the only one out of my friendship group who wated to pursue a serious relationship with God, and I was surrounded by unbelievers who wanted to do worldly things, where I wanted to go to Church, rehearsals, Bible studies, and all those things. And I thought during that period that our differences between our preferences wouldn’t affect me, but it comes back to the scripture: “Bad company corrupts good morals” [1 Cor 15:33].”
I had a very similar experience. Trying to balance both sides and hoping to walk away pleasing everyone. Yes, Christianity can be cool, but if it wasn’t, would I still follow Christ? Whenever I think about it, it reminds me of this verse from a Jonathan McReynolds song:
“Lord I’m split in two
Part of me loves the world and the other loves You
So, what do I do
I wanna be saved but I gotta stay cool too
And no I’m not a fool
I know eventually I’m gonna have to choose
And really I don’t wanna lose my ticket into heaven
And a chance to be used by You”
“No Gray” by Jonathan McReynolds
N– “For a very long time I thought I could do both. I could be in the life. Do the things that they do. And still pursue a serious relationship with Christ, but it literally did not match up at all. Cause you favour one thing. In the end you’ll lean towards one thing or the other. And I am so glad, that I can say I leaned more towards God than the world. But it is so easy to succumb to the world, and you shouldn’t put yourself in the position to make those choices.”
It goes back to Matthew 6:24 which says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”
But this isn’t about money?
Yet the true message still applies. We cannot serve two masters, and in some of our lives, we ae fighting between appeasing our friends, and appeasing God.
However, I won’t pretend like there are no benefits of having non-christian friends.
Prompt: “What are the advtanges of having non-christian friends over christian ones?”
A – “Well, you like them.
To be honest, I was ready to end it there but…
A – “Majority of my friends are generally Chrisitan, with a lot of them being from Church. But I think I still have non-christian friends because I genuinely like the people. Like they may be amazing people, but they’re not Christian. They may be smarter. Funnier. Have more interests in the same things as you, than your Christian friends. It’s just that sometimes they may ask you to come to the pub, but you’ve got Church.”
“The prohibition is not intended to require complete repudiation of all secular or charitable organizations (note 1 Corinthians 5:10) or friendships. When one’s Christian faith is in jeopardy, or his Christian conduct and influence is endangered, then such connections should be severed. One can witness to unbelievers without partaking of their beliefs or sinful behaviour.” – [https://www.icr.org/books/defenders/7549/]
Okay but what about dating though? What about people who are already with someone who’s not a believer? Imagine they were already married, should they now divorce them?
Well… PART 3
My Sunday Skl 