Imagine starting up a new business with a drug dealer for a partner. Or maybe a pimp. Ludicrous, you say? Absolutely. What decent, honest Christian in their right mind would consider, even for a moment, forming a business alliance with someone so vile?
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)
There's nothing wrong with hanging out with the wrong crowd if evangelism is our priority. We literally are in good company if we do so, because that's the company Jesus often kept. But, being "bound" to unbelievers in contractual ways (marriage, business partnerships, etc.) is another matter. The contrast is as stark as righteousness versus lawlessness, light versus darkness. There is no commonality for partnership.
"Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 'Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,' says the Lord. 'AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.'" (2 Corinthians 6:16-17)
It's a serious matter for God's temple to enter into an unholy alliance with the world's shrines. And that's where things get uncomfortably personal. Is it possible that we've already formed such partnerships?
The world is a type of Babylon, and its tentacle reach extends further than we likely realize. At its core it is decidedly anti-christian and anti-God. Its values permeate the entertainment and information industry, as well as the business and economic sector. Revelation eighteen describes the future destruction of the Babylonian system, and its multi-faceted business and spiritual realm is all-encompassing. Remaining free of partnership with this system is a formidable challenge. Thus we have the urgent call of God, whose temple we are: "'COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,' says the Lord. 'AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.'"
Separation has always been the challenge for believers in every age; the only difference for us is that our Babylon is uniquely high-tech. The beckoning glow of the screen, monitor, or display seems innocent enough, but the invitation to alliance is as unholy as it always has been.
The challenge before us is to evaluate all our contracts, and critique our partnerships. Difficult as it might be, if we've signed on the line with Babylon, we must break contract. But we do have the inner presence of the owner of the temple to assist with these difficult decisions.
May we have the courage and determination to truly live in the world as temples of the True and Living God.
Steve
© 2010, Steve Taylor
"Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)
There's nothing wrong with hanging out with the wrong crowd if evangelism is our priority. We literally are in good company if we do so, because that's the company Jesus often kept. But, being "bound" to unbelievers in contractual ways (marriage, business partnerships, etc.) is another matter. The contrast is as stark as righteousness versus lawlessness, light versus darkness. There is no commonality for partnership.
"Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 'Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,' says the Lord. 'AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.'" (2 Corinthians 6:16-17)
It's a serious matter for God's temple to enter into an unholy alliance with the world's shrines. And that's where things get uncomfortably personal. Is it possible that we've already formed such partnerships?
The world is a type of Babylon, and its tentacle reach extends further than we likely realize. At its core it is decidedly anti-christian and anti-God. Its values permeate the entertainment and information industry, as well as the business and economic sector. Revelation eighteen describes the future destruction of the Babylonian system, and its multi-faceted business and spiritual realm is all-encompassing. Remaining free of partnership with this system is a formidable challenge. Thus we have the urgent call of God, whose temple we are: "'COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,' says the Lord. 'AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.'"
Separation has always been the challenge for believers in every age; the only difference for us is that our Babylon is uniquely high-tech. The beckoning glow of the screen, monitor, or display seems innocent enough, but the invitation to alliance is as unholy as it always has been.
The challenge before us is to evaluate all our contracts, and critique our partnerships. Difficult as it might be, if we've signed on the line with Babylon, we must break contract. But we do have the inner presence of the owner of the temple to assist with these difficult decisions.
May we have the courage and determination to truly live in the world as temples of the True and Living God.
Steve
© 2010, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 7:40 AM
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