Believers But Still Unequally Yoked

When finding a mate, we are often told to look for someone within the church community.

The basis given for such advice is the verse, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

For those of us who don’t know what being “yoked” means. A yoke is what joins two oxen who are meant to carry a cart together. If one ox is pulling in one direction a lot more than the other, then the oxen will not be carrying the cart well. They may end up wanting to move in different directions.

This verse serves as the foundation for Christian marriages.

A christian should marry another christian. Otherwise, you will end up with someone with a different belief and moral system.

Someone who doesn’t know God and will lead you away from Him.

However what most of us as believers also don't understand  is that being in an “equally yoked” relationship isn’t about the convenience of going for church service together, or being able to sing the same songs, minister in church or use the same lingo. Nor just to be known as "Christians".

Wearing the label of Christianity does not give us a free pass to walking the three-legged race towards Christlikeness in perfect unity of mind and heart.

Just because I grew up as a Christian and attend church regularly has not been the basis for my spiritual maturity.

Surprisingly as it may sound to many. Two Christians could as well be unequally yoked based on each others levels of spiritual maturity or not.

When we enter into a relationship with believers who do not have the same hunger, respect or passion for God as we have then we also get unequally yoked.

An equally yoked relationship is when a couple is united not just in faith, but in mind and heart working well with each other, each other’s calling and most importantly with God.

Essentially, they both have the same end in mind - Christlikeness, and whatever it takes to get there.

The measure of our richness should not be wrongly determined by how often we go to church, how many bible stories we know, or the leadership positions we hold in church but by the fruit of the Spirit that we are producing in our lives.

Manifested in a mutual reverence for the sovereign Lord, surrender to His will and selfless love for each other.