September 3
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7
The Bible is filled with images that were relevant to the original audience but seem foreign to us. Paul (and Jesus and many in the Old Testament) use the image of being “yoked together” with others. Animals were yoked together to help a farmer plow his land. For this to work effectively, both animals had to be similar; thus, Deuteronomy commanded Israel to not yoke an oxen and donkey together. In the same way Paul tells us that we are only to be yoked together with people who are spiritually like us.
Those we spend time with will powerfully affect our lives. If you have kids, you are highly aware of the effect their friends have on them, but when we grow up, we are still affected the same way. This principle applies to covenant relationships like marriage, potentially some business partnerships, etc. So, we must be cautious, prayerful, and intentional about those we choose to surround ourselves. This does not mean we wall ourselves off from unbelievers, but rather we share Christ with those far from him, befriend them, love them, support them, and encourage them. But we only yoke ourselves to other believers. Our closest relationships need to be people who will point us to Christ and support us in our walk with him. We need to make sure that we have relationships which sharpen us and “purify” us, while supporting us to be disciples who make disciples.
Father God, help me to have relationships centered around you while I seek to make you known to those who are far from you. Amen.
What have you seen to be the consequences of yoking yourself with those far from God?
The Bible is filled with images that were relevant to the original audience but seem foreign to us. Paul (and Jesus and many in the Old Testament) use the image of being “yoked together” with others. Animals were yoked together to help a farmer plow his land. For this to work effectively, both animals had to be similar; thus, Deuteronomy commanded Israel to not yoke an oxen and donkey together. In the same way Paul tells us that we are only to be yoked together with people who are spiritually like us.
Those we spend time with will powerfully affect our lives. If you have kids, you are highly aware of the effect their friends have on them, but when we grow up, we are still affected the same way. This principle applies to covenant relationships like marriage, potentially some business partnerships, etc. So, we must be cautious, prayerful, and intentional about those we choose to surround ourselves. This does not mean we wall ourselves off from unbelievers, but rather we share Christ with those far from him, befriend them, love them, support them, and encourage them. But we only yoke ourselves to other believers. Our closest relationships need to be people who will point us to Christ and support us in our walk with him. We need to make sure that we have relationships which sharpen us and “purify” us, while supporting us to be disciples who make disciples.
Father God, help me to have relationships centered around you while I seek to make you known to those who are far from you. Amen.
What have you seen to be the consequences of yoking yourself with those far from God?
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