2 Corinthians 6:11-7:1 Separation

"Be ye not unequally yoked..." We have heard this terminology so many times in our lives. It seems to always deal with marriage. At the personal level, this is a critical principle to follow. Our marriage partner should be equally yoked with us. (Or like minded, striving toward the same goal) This verse should also apply to business co-executives, lawyers in a firm, close friendships and other close or important personal relationships. But, even though all of these partnerships do certainly require an equal yoke, we cannot forget who else needs to stay separated from the rest of the lost world.

Paul wrote this letter to the church at Corinth as a collective unit. We must also then consider this command as it relates to our church. The idea that it is better for churches to unite, despite their differences in doctrine, is not what God desires. In fact, it directly disobeys the command we read in Scripture today! Calvary Baptist Church should never align herself with a false church. What exactly is a false church? Any church who does not believe that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, is a false church. These false churches are unfortunately filled with unbelievers and we cannot create an alliance with unbelievers. Verse 14 in chapter 6 asks, "What fellowship hath righteousness, with unrighteousness?" The obvious answer is none. Our relationship with the unbeliever should be focused on giving and living the Gospel in the hope that they will accept Christ into their lives as well.

The first verse in chapter 7 gives us our application for the day. We have promises from God to indwell us, to walk in us, to be our God and to be our Father. As a result of this truth, and because of the reverential fear of God, which we should have, we need to rid ourselves of the alliances we may possess with this sinful world. This step of obedience will allow us to present our bodies a "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1)