DISCORDANT SYMPHONY
April 6, 2010
What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? – 2 Corinthians 6:15
The Devil and me, we don’t agree. I hate him and he hates me. – Salvation Army Hymn
How must we live, as followers of Christ, in a world that is, in reality, a world apart from Him? How can we maintain our holiness, separateness, from the world as we live within it? These questions have been discussed by Christians through the ages. Perhaps the answers are not as hard to discover as we have made them.
Our passage begins in 2 Corinthians 6:14 where Paul tells the Corinthian brethren “not to be yoked together with unbelievers.” This brings to mind Deuteronomy 22:9 which prohibits the yoking together of two different kind (species) of animals. The Greek, here, is not talking about inequality between two individuals, but a “difference in kind (Vincent, Word Studies).” Christians are intrinsically different from unbelievers. There can be no unity of purpose between them. This verse is a general admonition and is not limited to marriage or idol’s feasts but, rather, covers all forms of communion between the believer and unbeliever. In the Greek rendering of this passage there are the above and four other different types or shades of fellowship discussed.
“Common” in verse 14 is what we would call partnership or, as Vincent translates, “having part with” or “sharing.” “Lawlessness” is a better translation than “wickedness.” People living by God’s law, which brings forth a righteousness, cannot share in a common goal or purpose with those who live by no law.
Paul continues by comparing “light” and “darkness.” Here, the common bond is “communion” which translates the well-known Greek “koinonia.” This is a “one of one another” relationship. That is an impossibility between light and dark. Light and dark cannot be “joined” together.
A crescendo is reached in verse 15. The two chief protagonists are named. It is Christ versus “Belial” or Satan. Paul asks, literally, “Can Christ and Satan make a symphony together?” Impossible. There is no harmony of purpose between the two. They are at odds. It would be a symphony of discordant sounds and opposing rhythms. One just might call the symphony Spiritual Warfare.
The word translated “agreement” in verse 16 carries the sense of “voting” with or “depositing along” with the unbeliever, thus supporting his cause. As each of us is a “temple of God,” we are not to have a side room or annex dedicated to idols. We are wholly God’s or we are not his at all.
We have more to discuss concerning this passage. It certainly gives pause for thought. It makes me quite uncomfortable as I take a careful look at my relationship with the unbelieving world of which I am a part. We need to examine our relationships with unbelievers with the view that we are to be wholly God’s. Much to think about. More to pray about.
OMG, today help me to examine my relationships with the world with the bright light of your holiness. Amen.
copyright 2010 by Richard Hugh Manlove
