One night I sat, pondering my future, Word of God in hand, looking for some kind of guidance…direction…sign…the situation was sticky, you see.
He wanted to be with me – real bad and I liked him. I’d never met anyone so kind, witty, intelligent, gentle – everything a man is supposed to be. He was absolutely stunning. But there was one problem; we were unequally yoked. Nowhere near the same level spiritually; I’m talking as different as a block of coal is to a glittering diamond.
So I did the only thing I thought I could do; I threw caution to the wind and made it official. This opportunity was too good to resist.
I know what you’re thinking; “No! Don’t do it! Haven’t you read 2 Cor 6:14?!”
I have. It says,
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness?”
But haven’t YOU read Matthew 11:29,30?
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This verse gives us 100% permission to be unequally yoked…with Christ. Let me explain…..
The word ‘yoke’ means to ‘unite’ or to be joined together. In agricultural farming you always place two animals of the same species , of similar weight and height together to pull a heavy load. The animals are to work in unison, each sharing the load to get the job done lest one ends up slacking and the other unfairly carrying more of the weight. For this reason, animals that were as similar as possible were paired together – this way it would be fairer and things would run more efficiently.
In Matthew, Christ is calling us to be yoked with Him but there’s a difference: He promises that He is willing to unfairly shoulder the load and carry most of the burden. He will do the difficult task of heaving the load forward. And in exchange? We stay ‘yoked’ or connected with Him and receive rest for our souls. He’s calling us to be unequally yoked!
But this isn’t the only verse that calls us to be unequally yoked with Christ; have you seen Isa 46:4, Hosea 11:4and 1 Pet 5:7?
“And even to your old age I am he;
and even to grey hairs will I carry you:
I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry,
and will deliver you.” Isa 46:4
“I drew them with gentle cords,
With bands of love,
And I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck
I stooped and fed them”
“Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.” 1 Pet 5:7
God is saying, “Let Me carry the load; fling your cargo onto me. Become unequally yoked with Me, and I’ll balance those burdens that you’re struggling so much with right now”. God is calling us into a mismatched relationship with Him. Talk about being unequally yoked!
God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. And so our union with God seems like one big paradox: light fusing with darkness, righteousness combined with unrighteousness, holiness with sinners, Power amalgamated with weakness, the immortal united with the mortal. He is out of our league in every.single.way…and yet He chose us.
He CHOSE us.
He chose US?
I sure don’t know where I’d be if He hadn’t stooped down for me. I imagine on my own trying to erase my sins with my good works, frantically attempting to spin my own robe of righteousness to cover my sin scarred soul. I’m so glad He calls me to be unequally yoked with Him.
Oh, and the ‘Guy’ at the beginning? That was Christ. In light of my experience, I would encourage you also to throw caution to the wind and become unequally yoked… with Him. It’s the best decision you could ever make.
Chanda says
Amazingly well written!
Chanda says
Very well written
Prince says
This was very interesting reading Enes! Keep writing and may you be inspired by the Spirit as you do! This is a powerful means of communicating the love of Chris! 🙂
Kali says
This shines so much light on how unlike Christ we are yet He chose US. Talk about special treatment, were so blessed and highly favoured.
corbin says
I quote “In agricultural farming you always place two animals of the same species , of similar weight and height together to pull a heavy load” These animals are not Unequally yoked for they are the same type of animals like Leviticus 19:19, can a dog do the same work as a bull ? Like it says in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 they will turn you away to evil habits. Like Samson & Delilah, and Solomon both of these men were unequally yoked and both fell into temptation and paid for it. They are examples of following the heart, and were it will lead you.
Enes says
Corbin,
Thanks for your comment.
I think you might have misunderstood the point of the article. It does not in anyway encourage being unequally yoked with unbelievers but encourages sinners to be unequally yoked with Christ. I’m sure you’ll agree that He is above and beyond us in every single way, and yet He’s inviting us to become yoked with him.
If that isn’t unqually yoked, i don’t know what is.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” – Rom 5:8. What wonderful love! What a supreme Privilege it is to be joined with the Creator-Redeemer God.
By the way, kudos for your Samson and Delilah comment – I would never encourage the union of believer with unbeliever in the context of dating or marriage. Neither would I endorse following one’s emotions for they are often misguided.
All the best,
Enes
xowi mwimbi says
Question is, Is Jesus inviting us to be yoked WITH him, or actually to take the yoke of His love and Spirit on us so that we may become like Him…?