Unequally Yoked

I have heard this phrase used many times when I was dating. Mostly used to say that a believer should not date our pursue an unbeliever because of their core pursuits in life. There is scripture that stands behind this recommendation, but of course we are free to make our own mistakes.

Previously I had said I was going through the Psalms. I had been pursuing a 30 day pam, but had such a hunger for the Word that I competed it in less time. Most recently I began going through the book of Acts.

Todays reading took me through chapters 15-16, and while the term "unequally yoked" did not appear, that is what came to mind when I read:

Acts 15:10-11 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."

The disciples were speaking to people who would say that the gentiles needed to be circumcised according to tradition and to follow all the laws of Moses, in order to be saved. Even among the Christians then, there was a group calling themselves pharisees. The terminology used is also reminiscent if the distinctions and routes of our political parties today. Funny to see how things really never change, they just get new decorations.

I believe this discussion, early in the development of the church, is what led Paul to pen the words to the Galations & Ephesians:

Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands-- remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Unequally yoked, holding someone else to an impossible standard that you could never obtain. Such hypocrisy still has wedges in my own heart and probably not just me. For "1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Thank God for grace and mercy! My goal this week is to examine my own heart and my prayer if that God will lovingly show me where hypocrisy still appears in my heart.

Weakness

Humility is a blessing, and something we, ESPECIALLY me, forget that.

Pride says that I can do anything and everything alone, that I am sufficient. But Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I know that in some translations, the work perfect us synonymous with the word complete. That reminds me that when I fail, I know that I am not enough. But that when I rely on Christ for my strength, I am may complete because of Him. That I was never intended to do anything on my own. I was given talents and abilities, so that I may glorify God when I rely in Him. And also that the full extent of my talents and abilities are not fully manifested unless I rely on Christ as my all-in-all.

Anything that I have accomplished on my own because of pride, is simply a shadow of the glory that could have been manifested, had I given credit to and relied upon God.

Humility means that it is ok to fail, and that through Christ, the truth and reality of what is meant to be accomplished, will be.

Silence

Mark 15:1-5 And as soon as it was morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole Council. And they bound Jesus and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" And he answered him, "You have said so." And the chief priests accused him of many things. And Pilate again asked him, "Have you no answer to make? See how many charges they bring against you." But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed.

The priests, at the time of Jesus prosecution, wasted no time at all. They did not want to sit on or wait for anyone to object to their capture and prosecution of Jesus. First thing in the morning after their capture of Jesus, they delivered Him up to the Roman government. They did not handle their problem themselves, but delivered the Church over. They sent aware, by their own choice, and brought about their own destruction.

Jesus only spoke to Pilate. I found this to be quite interesting this morning. He did not give his accusers any response to their false charges, and let their fake witness trip themselves up on their conflicting, false accounts. The only one who actually asked Jesus a question, got a response, and scripture says that Pilate was already convinced that the charges were false.

Pilate did not understand who was standing before him, otherwise he would not have delivered him back to the high priests. Pilate could have squelched any riot with the strength of the Roman army at his disposal, but instead chose to simply turn a blind eye to their demands and let them do whatever they wanted to Jesus.

Both the Jewish priests and the Roman government failed to understand what was before them. Jesus responded to Pilate, saying that he said so, that Jesus was king of the Jews, but not as his accusers thought their King would be. Even after riding into town on a donkey, a symbol of a conquering king in times of peace.

How often do I fail to recognize Jesus as King? Fail to give Him the honor due? But rather accuse Him of letting things happen in my own life, of my own doing. He still remains silent to my false accusations, and speaks only the truth of His word, when asked the real questions of my heart, when I finally acknowledge them.