Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 HCSB

Relationships can be very difficult; even more so when we are in a relationship with someone with whom we have nothing in common. What usually draws us into a relationship is having something in common with the other person.

I’ve have often heard it said that opposites attract, but there must also be areas where we hold something in common to hold the relationship together. Our Scripture passage for today speaks of us being in a relationship with an unbeliever.

Many relationships have failed because one or both parties entered into the relationship hoping to change the other person. Changing someone is not something we are equipped to do. Only God can truly change someone and only if that person wants to be changed will God do this.

Those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior and truly believe in God, should be living our lives in a way that separates us from the rest of the world. We should behave differently from unbelievers. It should be obvious to those around us that we love the Lord with all our heart (Matthew 22:37) and that we put Him first (Matthew 6:33). It should be easy to see we are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and we have changed our ways. We no longer live in our old way of the world, but trust in Christ and live for Him.

Our Scripture passage asks what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? As Christians, our first priority is obedience to Christ. We obey God’s commands. The unbeliever may see this as foolishness or may think God won’t really punish us for our sin, but we know the Bible tells us God is just and He will punish our sins.

Our Scripture passage asks what fellowship does light have with darkness? There is no commonality between light and darkness. There is no common ground between sin and righteousness. We know we are all sinners saved by grace. But once we accept Christ as our Savior, we should no longer have any desire to commit deliberate sin. We should be mindful not only of our behavior, but of our attitude as well.

Philippians 4:7 tells us the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we aim to please God where unbelievers aim to please man.

We have no more agreement or commonality with an unbeliever than Christ has with a false god.

We all have a choice to make. We will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We will have to answer to Him for any unrepented sins even for idle words. I don’t know about you, but there is no one here on earth I will allow to stop me from going to heaven.

Also, the Bible warns if we associate with unbelievers, even in an attempt to save them, we are more likely to be drawn into their sin. We are warned not to associate with those who are unbelievers or fake believers. We are told in 1 Corinthians 15:33 not to be deceived, bad company ruins good morals.

Only Jesus can save a sinner. We can witness to them but if they won’t listen to us, we must move on and pray someone else can get through to them.

Proverbs 27:17 tells us as iron sharpens iron, one person sharpens another. When we are matched with other Christians, we tend to strengthen each other. When we are mismatched with an unbeliever, we run the risk of being dragged down.

We must show others God’s love, but if they reject it, we must move on. Don’t allow yourself to be unequally yoked or mismatched. Trust in God today and ask Him to guide you in all you do, especially your relationships.

Have a great day!