"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
2 Corinthians 6:14
It's a pretty straightforward verse I'd say. "Don't be yoked with unbelievers." This doesn't necessarily mean not to associate yourself at all with unbelievers, because we are called to reach out to people who are without God. With that being said, to me this is talking about relationships... romantic ones especially.
Recently I had a friend who told me that their significant other whom they're dating is not really a Christian. They have a background of some religion, but that doesn't apply now. That worries me... Before I start this controversial and dangerous conversation with myself on this computer, I'm sorry if you're reading this__________. I hope you see where I come from...
What sets us apart from other people of this world? As Christians we are supposed to be different in hopes that God's grace shines through us. Realistically you can create yourself to be exactly like anyone in this world, but imitating God is something that requires pure humility and effort. If Christians were relatively similar to everyone else, the outstanding importance of spreading the word would be a meaningless task. Do you understand what I'm saying? In simpler terms, being a servant of God requires you to be a mirror of Jesus which is determined to set you apart from everyone else.... And everyone else are the nonbelievers.
So like the verse may ask, why be yoked with unbelievers? They're the dark and we're the light. Of course there seems to be a negative connotation attached with the imagery, but it's true in metaphorical terms. Christians obtain purity that comes only from God... I just realized this, but it's slightly amazing, because we are considered light while God is also the light that guides us - "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path" (Psalm 119:105). It's quite humbling being compared to God since we're not even close to his perfection. Yet he finds us important enough. It's something that believers share with him. The kinship and everlasting connection that comes from simply believing. Having hope, and exuberant joy that all derives from our faith. But again, without God you can't have the most satisfying of experiences. It's the feeling when you can't fully express an emotion, or feel it to it's greatest extent. Being in the dark is the absence of light- the absence of God. Those who resign there only acquire a grand collection of ordinary moments which they label "happiness". That sounds great right? But believers have something better -it's called everlasting joy and it derives from God himself.
My point is that there is so much difference between Christians, and those who are labeled as nonbelievers. But then again there is also a difference between those who label themselves as Christians, and those who actively seek God. I'll save that thought for another time... Anyways, I know that there is a different connection between people who love God, and people who only know of God. There is a reason why some of my best friendships derived from my youth group, or why past romantic relationships with non-Christians never worked out. There is something missing from those worldy connections that even I can tell right from the start. Also knowing the extent of God's gracious love, how could you expect that type of love to be reciprocated from someone who doesn't know him? Their love is completely different in definition. Their standards of life are too- To them, hearing about the amazing bible story you just read, or singing the most beautiful worship songs is simply a story or just another song. And even saying that hurts a little.
Okay, besides the negativity of darkness, imagine yourself married. How amazing would it be to have bible studies with your future wife/ husband? Or not even that, but simply sharing good conversation about what you read in the Bible over breakfast? That rarely exists in worldly relationships. Well, they can exist but it wouldn't be an exchange of thoughts, rather a one sided one. Also you wouldn't be able to grow in your faith together. I never really gave it much credit myself, but diving into the word with another brother or sister of Christ changes everything. You get tiny snippets of other peoples interpretations, which just add and add to your own. You're range of thoughts become broadened, and your mind is challenged by the thought provoking questions of another believer who is just as interested in spiritually flourishing.- And it's all because you have the same goal of growing in the word instead of being fed it...
Of course these relationships can bring much happiness and amazing experiences. I don't mind what other's may believe. In fact I respect it. Yet personally I find there is something missing. If you're saved you know what I mean. Before salvation there was always something missing in life. You couldn't quite put your finger on it at the time, but then you eventually realized it was was Jesus. And once you had him you could never go back... So then this is what I ask: if both parties of a relationship are not with God, then isn't something bound to be always missing?
Of course these relationships can bring much happiness and amazing experiences. I don't mind what other's may believe. In fact I respect it. Yet personally I find there is something missing. If you're saved you know what I mean. Before salvation there was always something missing in life. You couldn't quite put your finger on it at the time, but then you eventually realized it was was Jesus. And once you had him you could never go back... So then this is what I ask: if both parties of a relationship are not with God, then isn't something bound to be always missing?
