Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? The meaning of this passage is not to say that we cannot be friends with unbelievers. In fact, Jesus never told us to leave the world to live holy lives, but for you and I to be in the world to live out God's glory. This is also the example set by our Lord Jesus. Jesus came in the flesh so He could identify with our weakness and overcome the power of sin, to open up a victorious path for us. In the same way, in the Old Testament, God called Abraham out into the Promised Land. If we understand the background, we will know that in fact the land of Canaan is not heaven on earth, but a place that is full of evil. But God called Abraham to enter the land, to live a different life. Hence, Paul was teaching believers to live on earth with a sense of mission. You and I are not living in the world just to make a living, to go through the motion. God rescued us not only for us to spend eternity with Him, but to live a different kind of life on earth because of Him. We are to be the light in the world and be His witness on earth. Hence Paul said: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common." In other words, do not take part in the sin of unbelief, do not put your feet in two boats. Jesus also said no man can serve two masters. You cannot serve both God and money. We cannot worship God and worship idols at the same time. We cannot call ourselves Christian if we lie, cheat and take advantage of others. This world is full of self-centered people who are concerned only about their own benefit while disregarding others. However, as Christians, we need to live a God-centered life on earth. Love should compel us to be a witness of Christ. Do the people around you know that you are a Christian? What is their reaction to that? Paul said, "What fellowship can light have with darkness?" Since we are the children of light, we should not walk in darkness, but allow the light of Christ to shine through us, so that darkness will disappear amongst us. Brothers and sisters, are you willing from today onwards to live a life that is different for Christ? Lord, I thank you for you have redeemed us with your precious blood. We no longer belong to this world, but we belong to you. Grant us strength and courage Lord, to live in this wicked and perverse generation. I thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!
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