The Bible has made plain several viewpoints. The famous 'do not
yoke' passage does not apply to marital relationships but also to
relationships whereby both parties need a certain common ground of
understanding. For instance, Business partners.
One cannot see this biblical teaching as Isolation from the world,
infact the Bible promotes holy worldliness. That is to say, be IN
the world but not OF the world. Jesus, being the sinless Son of God
did not shun Himself away from sinners. On the contrary, the fact
that He often mingles with tax collectors and harlots caused the
religious leaders of His days to see Him as being revoluntionary.
Christians are called to be the salt and light in the world living
in darkness and not to light up a lamp and place it under a bowl as
the gospel parable described.
However, as much as Christians should mingle with people of
different faith. there must be a clear distinction between those of
God and those who are otherwise. The Bible often provides us with
examples whereby consecration to God and being owned by God is one
important identity in Christ. not denominations, sectarian
differences. Salvation through Christ by grace and through faith
alone is what mark a believer from a non-believer. Because of this
tremendous change in spiritual status of a person, there must also
be physical adjustments being made. Water Baptism and Lord's supper
are two main outward signs of an inward grace.
Marriage has a special place in the heart of God. Adam and Eve was
a classic example where God for the first time ordain marriage. And
part of this covenant is the physical union between a male and a
female which results in offsprings being produced which populates
the entire world. Which God said be fruitful and multiply. Sexual
union is not merely the fusion of a sperm and an egg, in the
biblical context, sexual union involves spiritual union as well.
And it is because of this aspect particularly the bible forbades
uniting things of God with things of the devil (that is to say, of
the world). These 2 are not the same, they do not agree with each
other and infact are in perpetual conflict.
More than religious differences between a Christian and a
non-Christian, some people say that even in such circumstances,
true love exists..which is in every way possible. But as a
Christian, we are not just called to love our spouses and produce
children and start a family under the context of marriage but more
importantly, for any Bible-believing and God-loving individual to
serve God and honour Him in every manner of his/her life. That
require total surrender of one's life to God Most High and with
that deny everything that obstruct him/her from pursuing this
greatest call in the christian journey. Such a thing cannot be made
fully possible unless both parties share the same spiritual
heritage and call upon the same God. If not, very often the
Christian party will be influenced and eventually give up in
his/her spiritual pursuits. There is no such thing as 'evangelistic
marriage'
On the other hand, having said about the above. In
1 Peter 3:1-7, we see an example of a non-believing man and a
believer wife. However, in this context it is because the wives
came to know the Lord after their marriage. And we should take good
notice that the Scripture never in any way suggest a divorce.
Therefore, this whole issue of unequally yoked relationship should
be understood and appreciate in the context of the God's Word which
always seeks the common good of all who read it and intend to build
up things that are pure and good, while demolishing all that are
guilty and full of evil intents.
