Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. "Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty. (2Co 6:14-18 NASB)
Not just wise words but an imperative that Paul gives here. We cannot be “bound together” with unbelievers. The literal meaning here is to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. That is to keep a respectful distance from them – to not see them as “brothers” or even ”cousins.” We have to be very careful of our associations.
One reason is that we want to maintain the Christian distinctive. They are not us – not even close and we must make that gently clear. We can be friendly with them but we cannot be friends with them.
This is tough, especially when they are kind and friendly people. But we have to keep a respectful distance in our relationship for they are of the devil no matter how “nice” they are.
They are, to put this boldly, both the harvest field and the enemy at the same time. They do not want what is best for you nor even what is good for you. They want what is good for them. They are idolaters worshipping another God who stands in opposition to our God, the God.
Other verses that go with this one are:
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. (1Co 5:9-10 NASB)
But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. (1Co 5:11-13 NASB)
Tough verses!!!!!!!!
How do we do this? Carefully!
This does not mean that we do not admonish and counsel the erring brother but that we do not relate to them in a manner that even seems to condone their error. Of course, we must seek to correct the erring brother, but all the while making it plain that we are out of fellowship with them.
Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." (1Co 15:33 NASB)
We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1Th 5:14 NASB)
It is clear that we have to make and live out tough choices and it can be very frustrating and painful – but
Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. (1Th 4:1 NASB)
These scriptures should guide both our feelings and our actions toward others. We must maintain the Christian distinctive while, at the same time, being kind and gentle, looking for and taking the opportunity to evangelize the unbeliever or admonish the so called brother.
NOTE that these brothers are called a “so-called” brothers – He or she is not a legitimate believer and that must be kept in mind – they are not of the faith – not related to us in Christ and they bring shame and disrepute to the Gospel. Have little to do with them as possible and seek to win them to Christ – pray for them and the opportunity to witness/testify to them, remembering we just deliver the mail we can’t make them read it.
Remember;
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish. (Psa 1:1-6 NASB)
We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. (1Th 5:14 NASB)
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (2Ti 4:2 NASB)--
