Unequally yoked NO, yet bold YES…

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then 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.” Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1)

Yesterday we went to a neighborhood gathering involving wine, cheese and other nibbles, and visiting. I sat with several people and we talked about current events, both in our community, and in the world. Some of these folks are Christians, others not, but there was mostly harmony in opinions, particularly an upcoming referendum that would affect all of us. Here, the agreement was obvious. Christian or not, we did have the same views on most issues.

Is that being unequally yoked? Most say not. One definition is says unequally yoked means do not have a close, binding partnership with someone who has a fundamentally different faith, moral center, or worldview, or anything that would pull me away from faith in Christ. 

In other words, friendships with unbelievers is okay. Otherwise how could I speak to anyone about being reconciled to God? Unequally yoked  is more about marriage, business partnerships or relationships with those who live and promote ungodly lifestyles. We watched a drama last night where the police talked with a man guilty of incest and that man said, “Pardon me for not sharing your moral values.” Even thinking about his nonchalance over such sin makes me feel ill. He had no idea of how such thinking brings pain into many lives.

The only positive in realizing such darkness exists is that it increases my burden to pray and to be as totally dedicated to Christ as possible. I’ve already realized that even two who disagree on spiritual issues walk and talk differently and pull in different directions. Such a partnership cannot be effective in any endeavor. Even having food together requires the grace of God in ordinary conversation. Sometimes I just want to stay home rather than be challenged by the words and ideas of those who reject Jesus.

The NT speaks of a boldness from the Holy Spirit. Even though I’m not nearly so fearful of being rejected as I once was, I know that I need the Spirit to boldly speak  when unbelievers need to hear about Jesus.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. . . . And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. . . . And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:13-31)

When the Spirit gives boldness, it is often a surprise and always has a positive result. In other words, it cannot be mustered up, or faked, or a product of my own determination. It is one of those “only God” things for which I praise Him!

Lord Jesus, sometimes I want to hide and not be with unbelieving people. You are not like that, and I need to be more like You. Grant me the attitudes You desire, and a boldness that removes all that blocks me from faithfully sharing You with others, and not sliding into any agreements that would deny my faith in You. 

Being like Jesus

 

This vacation is making me consider what it was like for Jesus to come from a perfect heaven into a world of sinners. How did He feel? What did He do?

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:10–13)

I cannot imagine Jesus thinking this was so uncomfortable that He wanted to go back to heaven. Instead, he ate with them, spent time with them. He didn’t retreat into someplace more comfortable or avoid the company of those self-centered people. The Bible does not tell us much about their conversations other than the teaching that Jesus gave them and that a few responded to trust and follow Him.

We find ourselves with those who are more interested in the eating and drinking than any conversation about God or spiritual matters. However, I can imagine Jesus asking questions and listening to what people said rather than condemning them. Later He said:

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” (
Matthew 11:19)

That last line speaks to me. Being wise is not avoiding the challenging situation of being surrounded by me-first attitudes. Instead, wisdom would put first whatever those sinners want to talk about and give wise responses showing an understanding of their needs. I need His wisdom to think and act – like Him.

PRAY: Jesus, I’ve no idea what the day will present or interaction with others will involve, so ask You for wisdom and the fullness of Your Spirit that I might be like You as You involved Yourself with those who seemed only interested in doing their own thing.

Can I balance discernment and being harmless?

A few people puzzle me. One of them goes to church but never talks about God or Jesus Christ. She makes many friends by doing things for them, yet never mentions fellowship in Christ or says anything about being in the family of God. She nods when Christians are thankful to the Lord or smiles when we give God glory but does not do it herself. She says nothing about Sunday’s messages and does not sing with the rest of us. But she still shows up and knows nearly everyone in our large church. This has been going on for a few years.

The critic in me suspects that this person, and others like her, use the goodness of God’s people to personal advantage, but what does the Spirit of God say about it?

First, He reminds me of Jesus who ate and spent time with those outside the faith. He was criticized for it but affirmed that He came to seek and save those who are lost. He was and still is the friend of sinners and calls me to do the same and even more . . .  

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38–42)

In my childhood home, I noted how my mom had a soft spot for anyone who was a ‘nice’ person. However, by their ‘niceness’ she assumed they were Christians. Even before I knew Christ, I thought her judgment was often overruled by this assumption. Jesus calls me to be harmless as a dove, but also wise as a serpent.

This morning, John’s epistle gives this warning:

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:1–6)

Jesus’ words to love my enemy echoes in the background as He tells me that I need to care about everyone but not be in the dark about their spirituality. Some ‘nice’ people are just that, socially and generally nice people, but not Christians. At the same time, I’ve met Christians who, when walking in the flesh, are downright nasty. I need to be discerning but not too firm about my judgments. Only God knows the heart.

What is the point for knowing where my friend is regarding her spiritual journey? For me, it helps me to know how to pray for her. I already know how to treat her — with loving kindness! Prayer is speaking with God about His work in her life. I want to pray in His will and for that, it helps to be aware.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, my prayer burdens can be discouraging, heavy, too much for me. When You give me better understanding of how to pray, they are more like the “light burdens” that You give. As I ‘test the spirits’ regarding the situations of others, I also need to do the same in my own situation. Are the concerns I feel from You or are they from my enemy who would have me forget that You are God in the flesh, my Lord and Savior, the One who knows all things. You can enlighten me as well as lighten my load. You have the power to change the lives of others too. I cannot, and even my prayers cannot. You are greater than all others and I need to cast all my cares on You because You care.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- these thoughts to balance loving kindness with alert awareness.

- Jesus knows the hearts of those on my prayer list and knows best how to answer my prayers.

- today’s workout in the gym with the power off – some trainers used flashlights. Fun.

- fresh snow.

- a close finish on one quilt that seemed to take forever.

- friends who call.

- smell of supper cooking.