Non-Beleivers = Not Friends?

[Poem]

Great Topic. Wonderful explaination. Yet...

exclaim I think it is important to note what the reference Angelic-Sargeant
used MEANS. exclaim

The bible does say, do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, this is true. BUT what does that mean?

When two animals are yoked together they are bound around the neck. Why is this done, you may ask. Well, often they would take an older animal, let's use the OX as the example (horses are yoked too), and yoke it up to a younger ox. The older ox, knowing what the master wants to do will make sure the yonger ox is not wandering away from the masters plan and purpose for the ox. The yoke is there to train the ox. The yoke is there to link two creatures together for th same purpose. The yoke is used to allow the animals to learn eachother. The yoke is used to regulate the stride and to keep the workers shoulder shoulder.

This idea of 'unequally yoked' is the word "heterozugeo" (het-er-od-zoog-eh'-o); from a compound of heteros and zugos which combined means to yoke up differently or to associate discordantly.

heteros (het'-er-os) = other or different:
KJV - altered, other, strange.
zugos (dzoo-gos'); from the root of zeugnumi (to join, especially by a "yoke"); a coupling, i.e. servitude
KJV - pair of balances, yoke.



The bottom line is that the yokes were used for training the ox to stride together for the purpose of the master, creating a common bond toward compatible goals and ultimately sharing the load equally.

This is why Jesus says "Take my yoke upon you" He is not saying to take his burdens. He is saying, let me train you. He is saying "I know the way of the master. Yoke up with me and we will walk side by side and accomplish the task that the Good Master has for us." This is why Jesus' yoke is "easy".

Now, what does this have to do with unbelievers? I think the message in that particular scripture is that we be sure we are not linking up spiritually with non-believers. They should not be yoked with us, because our masters are different. Jesus said it plainly when he said that "A house divided against itself cannot stand." If we are yoked with unbelievers we will be dragged astray.

So what does it mean to be yoked together in the spirit?
arrow to confide in them
arrow to trust in them
arrow to depend on them
arrow to have vulnerable spirit with them

These things we should reserve for those who can encourage us to the way of the Good Master. Again, to clearify things I will let the Word of God stand alone.

Deut 22:9-10

9 Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.
10 Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.
(from New International Version)

Ps 1:1
Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.
(from New International Version)

What this does NOT mean:
It does not mean to stop fellowship with non-believers. It does not mean to judge them. It does not mean to hate them, or exclude them. It just means that you don't get advice for spiritual things from a person living in the flesh. It means don't go into any commitments with unbelievers like romantic relationships or business partnerships. It means save the things that matter most to your life for your brothers and sisters in Christ.

And if we are at all Christians, we will desire those people of the world to become a part of the family. The only way for that to happen is if we show Christ the way he showed his self --with love so genuine that he would die for the possibility that they might choose to live.