25 Oct November 9th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S SECOND LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

WALK IN THE LIGHT

2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”

Two things are said to be compatible when they are able to exist together without conflict.  They are in harmony with one another.  They work together rather than in conflict or at cross purposes.  They belong together.

If two things are incompatible, they are unable to exist together without conflict.  They are not in harmony with each other.  They do not work together.  No one should attempt to try to force them to be together for the outcome will not be good.

In today’s devotional verse, St. Paul addresses the issue of compatibility in regard to relationships you have with others.  As a Christian, he says, it is not good to attempt to form a relationship with someone who is not a Christian.  In 1 Corinthians 5:11 St. Paul describes who those people are:  “. . . the sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler.”  He wrote,  “Do not even eat with such people.”

In spite of these warnings, Christians, when choosing a spouse become blind to the fact that the person they are dating is an unbeliever.  They fail to see the challenges to their faith they will face.  Instead of unity there will be a need for compromise.  Instead of commitment their will need to be negotiation.  Instead of going to church there will be arguments.

Paul uses the illustration of “light and darkness” to describe how incompatible is a relationship between a believer and an unbeliever.  While the believer walks in the light of Christ the unbeliever walks in the darkness of their unbelief.  The believer follows Jesus in whom there is no darkness.  The unbeliever follows Satan and his wicked allies who are all in darkness and lead all their followers into the same.  (see 1 John 1:5; John 1:9; John 8:12; Matthew 5:14; John 12:35-36; Ephesians 5:11; Ephesians 6:12; John 3:19)  Light brings life and darkness death.  Jesus alone is the light unto the world.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, give me eyes of faith to see those things that are compatible for me with the relationship You have given me with Jesus.  In His holy name.  Amen.

I want to walk as a child of the light.  I want to follow Jesus.

God set the stars to give light to the world.

The star of my life is Jesus.  Refrain:

In Him there is no darkness at all.

The night and the day are both alike.

The Lamb is the light of the city of God.

Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus.

I want to see the brightness of God.  I want to look at Jesus.

Clear Sun of Righteousness, shine on my path.

And show me the way to the Father.  Refrain:

I’m looking for the coming of Christ.  I want to be with Jesus.

When we have run with patience the race,

We shall know the joy of Jesus.  Refrain:

(LSB 411)