Don’t team up2 with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner3 with wickedness? How can light live with4 darkness? What harmony5 can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner6 with an unbeliever? And what union7 can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be My people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. ”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Take a closer look at Paul’s 7 synonyms.
partners1 – συνεργέω [Sunergeō] to be a fellow worker, that is, co-operate: – help (work) with, work (-er) together. be partner in labour.
team up2 – ἑτεροζυγέω [heterozugeō] to come under an unequal or different yoke, to be unequally yoked, to have fellowship with one who is not an equal, to have intercourse with, to associate discordantly.
partner3 – μετοχή [metochē] participation, intercourse, fellowship, a sharing, communion, fellowship.
live with4 – κοινωνία [koinōnia] fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse, intimacy.
harmony5 – συμφόνησις [sumphonēsis] accordance, concord, agreement.
partner6 – μερίς [meris] part, a portion, share, participation.
union7 – συγκατάθεσις [sugkatathesis] a deposition (of sentiment) in company with, accord with, agreement.
Is it sinking in yet? I think I should have saved Rick Warren’s quote from few days ago for today. Today common sense is so uncommon people think it is genius. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that marriage is the closest kind of partnership there is. If you shouldn’t mix it with these people in their world you sure shouldn’t do it in marriage. Don’t marry them. Don’t have anything to do with them. Look at the words I emboldened above. Intercourse, intimacy, sharing, in company with etc. To marry someone who is of a different persuasion in faith is asking for trouble. If you shouldn’t do it generally then don’t do it intimately. God had much to say to the children of Israel about this. He said in many places “Don’t intermarry with these lawless, unrestrained and godless people”.
In Amos 3:3 he says:
Do two people walk hand in hand if they aren’t going to the same place? (MSG)
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (NLT)
Amos 3:3
When it comes to matters of faith and belief it is so hard to mix it with those who don’t believe in Christ. Many think they can but come to grief. There are just too many issues involved to spell out. Think about it. Personally it means you are headed in two completely opposite directions. And in fact over issues and beliefs that require no compromise. How is it possible to partner intimately in marriage with someone who doesn’t hold the same set of values as you? If I need to say more what about when children come along? Both want to teach the children their world view. Impossible. If you compromise and say to your “spouse to be” ok the kids can follow you and not me, it means you don’t hold your views passionately enough. Don’t compromise.
Talk to me about it if you wish to know more.
He who deliberates fully before taking a step will spend his entire life on one leg.
Chinese Proverb
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
Jim Elliot
Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.
G. K. Chesterton
Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
Ian Vail
Never make decisions that put you outside of where your guardian angel can protect you.
Ian Vail