Unequal Yoking with Unbelievers – What does it Mean?

The phrase “unequally yoked” comes from 2 Corinthians 6:14 where a warning is given...   “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (NIV) The New American Standard Version says, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?”

 A yoke is a wooden bar that joins two oxen to each other and to the burden they are to pull. An “unequally yoked” team of oxen would have one stronger ox and one weaker, or one taller and one shorter. The weaker or shorter ox would walk more slowly than the taller, stronger one, causing the load to be unbalanced... to maybe go around in circles or worse the load to fall off the wagon. When oxen are unequally yoked, they cannot perform the task set before them. Instead of working together, they are at odds with one another. Using a yoke to make his point emphasizes the dangers that can and will come from people of different faith convictions being too intimately connected with someone or something out-of-balance with truth.

Paul’s admonition in 2 Corinthians is part of a larger discourse to the church at Corinth on the Christian life. He discouraged them from being in an unequal partnership with unbelievers because believers and unbelievers are opposites, just as light and darkness are opposites. 

They simply have nothing in common, just as Christ has nothing in common with “Belial,” a Hebrew word meaning “worthlessness” (verse 15). Here Paul uses it to refer to Satan. The idea is that the pagan, wicked, unbelieving world is governed by the principles of Satan and that Christians should be separate from that wicked world, just as Christ was separate from all the methods, purposes, and plans of Satan. He had no participation in them. He formed no union with them and so it should be with the followers of the one in relation to the followers of the other. 

Attempting to live a Christian life with a non-Christian for our close friend and ally, will only cause us go around in circles, to drift off track and loose our spiritual balance entirely.

The “unequal yoke” is often applied to business relationships. For a Christian to enter into a partnership with an unbeliever is to court disaster. Unbelievers have opposite worldviews and morals, and business decisions made daily will reflect the worldview of one partner or the other. For the relationship to work, one or the other must abandon his moral center and move toward that of the other. More often than not, it is the believer who finds himself pressured to leave his Christian principles behind for the sake of profit and the growth of the business.

Of course, the closest alliance one person can have with another is found in marriage, and this is how the passage is usually interpreted. God’s plan is for a man and a woman to become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24), a relationship so intimate that one literally and figuratively becomes part of the other. Uniting a believer with an unbeliever is essentially uniting opposites, which makes for a very difficult marriage relationship.

MORE on this topic of being Unequally Yoked next time… Until then, be at peace with all brethren.

Is the “Rapture” really taught in the Bible?

Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of the Rev. Billy Graham, warns the Rapture is coming and will cause "mass chaos."

In a recent blog post on her website titled "Is God’s Judgment Coming?" Graham Lotz wrote God's "judgment is coming on America and on our world, and it's going to be ugly."

"I believe Jesus is soon to return to take all of His followers to Heaven with Him in what is referred to as the Rapture," she wrote. "While this will be deliverance for His people, can you imagine the impact on our nation, let alone the world, when suddenly every single authentic Christian disappears?

"Institutions will collapse. Banks will close. The Stock Market will plunge. Planes will fall out of the sky. Cars will crash on the road. Government in America at every level will disintegrate. Families will be torn apart. In the unprecedented turmoil, our nation will be vulnerable for our enemies to seize the moment and attack us. There will be mass chaos, confusion, fear, grief, despair, anger, threats, danger … judgment."

Surveys find that more than half of Americans think the Rapture is real, while other surveys find that 27 percent of Christians think Jesus Christ will return to Earth by 2050.

Add to Graham Lotz’s view of the imminent Rapture, the "Left Behind" series of books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins.  For years the books have made for are captivating reading based on the concept of people vanishing, physically disappearing from earth, just before the return of Christ.  The books are all about the end of time and the Rapture. 

Question... Is there really going to be a Rapture like these books and Anne Graham Lotz talk about?  What does the Bible really teach on this concept?

Straight answer... No. The Rapture refers to a passage in First Thessalonians chapter 4, where Christians are "caught up" in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." Many Christians believe, and the "Left Behind" books and vocal preachers like Anne Graham Lotz promote, that this being "caught up" to meet the Lord will occur before the Great Tribulation sometime in the near future. Christians will simply vanish, meet Jesus somewhere in the air, and then return with Him to Heaven to await the end of time.

But notice, in verse 15, Paul says that "...we who are alive, who are left," shall be caught up. This is a very important point to stress to rapture enthusiasts. Those who are "left" get caught up to meet the Lord. Keep that in mind as we look at these next couple of Scripture passages.

The "Left Behind" books get their name from a passage in Luke 17, and a similar passage in Matthew 24, which compares the coming of the Lord to the days of Noah and the days of Lot. Matthew 24 puts it this way: "As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man ... [they ate, they drank, they married] and they did not know until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. Then two men will be in the field, one is taken and one is left. Two women grinding at the mill, one is taken one is left."

"One is taken, one is left" — the Rapture right? Jesus takes the Christians and leaves behind non-Christians!

That's how rapture enthusiasts interpret these passages. Well, you need to say to them: "Not so fast, folks."

There are two problems with the "Left Behind" interpretation: First, in the passages from Luke 17 and Matthew 24, Jesus' coming is compared to the days of Noah and the days of Lot. Let's think about that for a moment. After the flood, who was left? Noah and his family — the good guys. The bad guys were taken and the good guys were left behind! After Sodom and Gomorrah went up in smoke, who was left? Lot and his daughters — the good guys. The bad guys were taken and the good guys were left behind!

The second problem with the "Left Behind" interpretation has to do with what I mentioned above: 1 Thessalonians 4 says that those who are "left" get to meet Jesus in the air. You want to be left behind. Why? Because those who are left behind get to meet Jesus on His return to earth. Again, when you put 1 Thessalonians 4 together with Matthew 24 and Luke 17, it becomes quite apparent that the good guys are the ones left behind to meet Jesus.

And, if you need further proof of that, there's a passage in Matthew 13 that pretty much seals the deal. Matthew 13:39-43, "... and the enemy who sowed them [the bad seed] is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. The Son of man will send His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father."

So when Scripture says that "one is taken and one is left," as it does in Luke 17 and Matthew 24, it is not talking about the Rapture, it is talking about the harvest at the close of the age. The ones who are taken, as it says in Matthew 13, are the evildoers. The angels have taken them and tossed them into the furnace of fire.

So, the "Left Behind" books and preachers have got it exactly 180 degrees wrong. The ones taken are not the good guys, they are the evildoers. The ones who are left behind are the ones who get to be caught up in the clouds to meet Jesus in the air at His Second Coming, when He will bring all of the angels and saints with Him and there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth.

Be warned... The "Left Behind" books and ministers who preach this notion, teach the opposite of what Scripture actually says about the events of the Second Coming of Christ.  In other words, there will be no Rapture like the one the "Left Behind" books talk about. In fact, if anyone’s getting caught away... its not the good guys.

True Christians want to be left behind!

The Practical Impact of Christian Values

The late philosopher Francis A. Schaeffer once said that people and cultures often unknowingly live on “borrowed Christian values.”   

What Dr. Schaeffer means is that the Creator God of the Universe, the God of the Bible, long ago sovereignly determined right from wrong and what attitudes, values, principles, behaviors and practices, and therefore lifestyles, served humanity best. God in essence said, “This is good for you, do and act this way” and ultimately defined the standards by which much of humanity lives to this day. 

Since the Garden of Eden, though, we humans have for the most part ignored God’s way and tried to create our own better “reality.” But there’s a problem with this. The degree to which sinful human hearts depart from the Holy and Omniscient God’s best counsel, is the degree to which we “live on lies” making for ourselves a stressful and unwholesome [ungoldy] world. 

So what does this mean? Quite simply, it means Christian values as revealed in the Word of God are not simply “spiritual” but are eminently “practical.” They don’t just promise good things... they don’t just make your inner life more peaceful... they work in everyday life. 

Christian values practiced around the globe, often displayed by a small minority living in difficult conditions under oppressive governments, demonstrate the eternal significance of every human being.  Christian values help to promote cultures of sharing, giving, caring, and fairness among hostile ethnic groups, not hostility, reprisals, destruction and death. Christian values express love for all, rich and poor, men, women, and children, the healthy and unhealthy. Christian values affirm marriage and fidelity in marriage, which in turn helps to create strong families and strong societies. Christian values teach honesty, integrity, work ethic, initiative and creativity. Societies and economies built upon such values tend to flourish and prosper. 

Christian values support law and order based upon human rights, legal, ethical and moral government, and personal and public morality. Christian values create foundations for peace, liberty and economic opportunity. 

Christian values appreciate the separate responsibilities before God of both His Church and the government. Christian values advance the civil liberties and religious freedom of all human beings. Christian values encourage education, research and innovation, and stewardship of natural resources. 

While recognizing the existence of evil, the necessity of criminal justice, and at times armed conflict, Christian values teach non-violence and aspire to peace among all men and women. Christian values are given by God for all times, countries, and cultures, so they recognize no favorites but the blessed, who pursue Christ and Christian living wherever they may be. 

While Christian values exercise a profound spiritual impact upon all who embrace them, they also can exercise a far-reaching practical and secular impact upon people, families, cultures, and societies within and across global boundaries. 

Christ, the Savior of Humanity seeks to show all humans the right way to live.  His Way is the right way and brings peace and harmony to a world filled with strife.

"For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God." 1 Peter 1:23 

The Difference between Christianity and Islam is in the OFFER...

Let’s be honest... the battle for the souls of humanity emanates  from ones religious perspective. It has always has been that way and always will be that way, until “truth” is confirmed by the second coming of Christ.  Your worldview and your eternal future boils down to what you believe and why you believe it.  

So much of what you read, hear and see in world events comes from Muslims seeking to discredit and destroy Christianity.  Radical Muslims kill non-violent Christians! They see Christianity as a rival and obstacle to their goal for Islamic world domination.   Of course, Christians then retaliate in non-violent ways to refute Muslim claims and indeed discredit the religion of Islam.  They do so, not out of spite or vengeance, but out of a pursuit of truth and genuine desire to offer all humanity a way to discover and share in a relationship with the real true God of heaven and earth.

So, for this final installment on the Islamic religion, let’s just examine the real issue of what is going to happen to you and me when we die.

Muslims will describe their activities of going to the Mosque on Friday, praying 5 times a day, keeping Ramadan, following the teachings of Mohammed in the Quran and the hadiths as the core of their religious practice. They believe if you do good deeds, you have a chance of getting closer to Allah, and then they hope for the best.  The “best” would be their definition of salvation, heaven eternal reward for faithfulness.  For Muslims, the question, "are you going to paradise?" is answered in three words... "if Allah wills." but one never knows... "Inshallah" God will decide – whether it be hell or paradise.  A Muslim’s grasp on salvation is almost like playing the lottery or rolling the dice in a game of chance.  You never know if you will win or lose. 

The word "hell" appears scores of times in the Quran. Another fearsome word the Quran uses to describe hell is "fire." The unbelievers are clothed with fire of which there is no end.  If Allah wills, believers may be taken to the gardens of delight where underground streams flow but no one knows what Allah will ultimately decide to do with them.  

Its understandable that Muslims would be discouraged from asking questions about ideas in the Quran that bother them. One should not question Allah... that is what they have been taught.  In Islam, Allah is viewed as a far off distant God, a being to be feared, who is always ready to punish wrong doers.

Do you know where you are going? There is no assurance whatsoever offered in Islam concerning where you will end up.  Muslims who say that they are doing good works, and trying to live a life pleasing to Allah have no assurance of salvation.  Islam the religion and its god Allah offer no peace, no assurance that any faithful devout Muslim will avoid hell. Their good deeds may never be enough. If you are a Muslim woman, it is almost a forgone conclusion you will never gain paradise.  The Quran gives little hope to its adherents.

Now, let’s consider the great story of the Bible. It begins with the story of God’s creation of the world and the first man and woman. This is on of God’s greatest acts of love. The world God created for humanity is a world that provides all that is needed for life.

Unfortunately, man’s sin alienated him from God.  Adam and Eve, their turning away from God knocked humanity’s future off track, was that the end? How do we get back to God?

The Old Testament foretold a Messiah that would come who would bless mankind. Who is this blessing? It is none other than Jesus, the Christ! What does that mean for humanity? God in and through Christ, is offering peace and forgiveness to the people s of this world.  And he has given us (those who have asked Christ for forgiveness and received it and experienced his great love (Acts 2:38)) the work of sharing his message about peace. Christians who are sent to speak for God, are asking all of humanity to listen to HIS message as revealed in the inspired Holy Bible. Christ followers [Christians] speak for Christ and sincerely ask everyone to make peace with God. (2 Cor.5:19-20)

The true God loves humanity so much that he sent his Son to reveal what He is like. He sent his Son to bring forgiveness to us. He sent his Son to promise us life in His presence forever. (John 3:16)  The most awesome truth in the world is that while all people have sinned, God still loves us so much that he made it possible for us to be forgiven and to know Him.  Are you bothered by a hollow feeling, an empty feeling, that Allah is distant and you can’t find him? Do you long to be saturated with the real true God’s peace and love?

Islam is a religion. Religion involves doing things, saying prayers, keeping rituals. However, the Christian faith is not a religion but a restored relationship with God. You can have a personal relationship with Jesus, if you accept Him as your savior. There is no waiting to see what will happen to you at death. You can claim the promise of eternal life now and know that you are going to experience eternal life when you die. Jesus told a religious man, Nicodemus, that he must be born again. A spiritual rebirth must take place now. (Acts 2:38) Don’t assume all Christians have this relationship. There are cultural [nominal] Christians just like their are nominal Muslims.

Muslims, whoever you are and wherever you live, you can have a relationship with Jesus.  You can experience a new beginning, a new birth, you can handover your life to the real true God and embrace Him as your Lord and Savior.  If you are searching for peace, forgiveness, and eternal life you can have it in personal relationship Jesus as your Lord 

Remember the words of the Gospel: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." (John 3:16-18 ESV)

Mohammed said, here is the way of obedience, you must follow it. In contrast, Jesus said, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 ESV) Jesus declared, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10 ESV)

Do you think your works can compare with God who loves you so much that he has promised to forgive you if you come to Him through Jesus?   Which do you think is wise to chose: the way of works that ends in failure, or the way that leads to life. You have to chose between a false religion in which you must earn God’s approval or a relationship with God who forgives and promises you everlasting life in a restored paradise.

The real difference between Islam and Christianity, casting aside all the arguments of men, is the OFFER –– Eternal Life.  God’s promise to anyone who seeks Him, accepts Him and lives a faithful life.