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NASB | 2 Corinthians 6:14 ¶ Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 6:14 ¶ Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers [do not make mismatched alliances with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? |
Bible Question:
Now I've heard this verse before many times. But why exactly is it wrong, or won't work, or is difficult? I quoted this verse to someone at college and they said things like, "As long as the non-Christian respects the other's commitment to Christ" and "People in a relationship with two different faiths can learn from each other" and more of the same. And how about casual relationships that aren't marriage? I know part of their arguments are humanistic and relativist. But I need an answer they'll respect. One that doesn't make Christians out to be exclusionary. Thanks! Jo |
Bible Answer: Hello, Jo -- It must be tough to be a young Christian in a secular college these days, and my heart goes out to you. Keep the faith! It's been nearly a half century since I walked the halls of academe. It was none too easy to be a Christian in the academic environment then, but I'm persuaded that it is even more difficult now. ....... Tim Moran has written a fitting response to your question and concerns in which he addressed your concerns at some length and touched upon the exclusionary aspect of the Christian faith. I would like to pick up and expand on this exclusionary aspect through the addition of a few thoughts. Jesus was exclusionary par excellence. Said He, "I am THE way, and THE truth, and THE life; NO ONE comes to the Father but through me" [John 14:6]. I've supplied emphasis, of course, in an effort to show just how exclusive Jesus was being in this verse. Exclusivity of this magnitude is everything but popular among the disciples of secular humanism in our time. Jesus' words give them no comfort! How shamelessly bold! What effrontery to propound any such heresy! What a crass slap in the face of the humanist whose god is himself! No wonder the world hates Jesus! ...... The world and its humanism derives no comfort from Acts 4:12 either: "And there is salvation in NO ONE ELSE; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Bigotry? Why, yes, in today's convoluted secular world view it certainly is. ...... Is Scripture itself exlusionary? Yes, it is. It claims to be the word of God, the absolute truh in a world that denies the existence of absolute truth. Is it bigoted? Yes, it is by secular world view standards, because it condemns the world of sin and offers redemption through one means and one only, the finished work of Jesus on the cross. This is foolishness to the world: "The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" [1 Corinthians 2:14] ...... Dear Jo, you seek for an answer (to various biblical issues) that your peers at college will respect. You may not find that possible, because it is they who have the option of respecting the word of God and you as the messenger, or deriding and rejecting both. But it is not the Christian's option to compromise God's word in order to gain respect or approval. Peer pressure is strong during the college years and you don't have an easy task before you. Followers of The Way had it hard during the dawning days of Christianity and they have it hard still. But you and all your Christian brothers and sisters on this earth have a hope that if both sure and steadfast, and you have the promise of Jesus Himself that He will never leave you or forsake you. ..... A parting thought. You say in your user profile that you know your away around in Scripture. Good! Keep knowing, keep going, keep growing in your walk with Christ. Keep the faith! And whether your message of faith is received or spurned, "sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, always being ready to give and account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" [1 Peter 3:15]. ....... "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen" [Jude 24,25] ..... God bless you, Jo. --Hank |