Don't be Unevenly Yoked . ..

Or the yoke will be on you, literally!

Consider the kind and calm calling of our Lord and Savior:

"Come unto me, ye who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (literally, I will rest you) (Matthew 11:28)

We resist, insisting on taking care of ourselves, not willing to trust the One who has all power and all knowledge, and greatest intention, to assist us in our daily walk.

Now, in regards to incompatibly with people in the world:

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)

Some have commented that this speaks to not being married to unbelievers. While true, it obviates a great sense applicable to all. Earlier in this chapter, Paul calls believers to the One whom they should be yoked to:

"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." (2 Corinthians 6:1)

And the grace of God is not some passive assistance which we must apply:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:10)

We who would put ourselves under the mast of unbelievers would be hindering our walk and His work in our lives. Unevenly yoked we would be indeed, for unbelievers do not live by the grace of God, having been blinded to the majesty of His sacrificial love.

We have no need to seek help from the outside world in matters of great import. To the extent that we live and trust in Him who lived, died, and rose again for us, to that extent we can do great things:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12)

and

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13)