THE UNEQUAL YOKE
F. S. Marsh
With a deep impression of the dishonour to the name of God, of the sorrow of heart caused to His people and the sad reaping which must inevitably follow departure from one of the plainest principles in the word of God, this affectionate appeal is made. The unmistakable injunction is, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers—for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
The sad consequences of entering into an unequal yoke can invariably be traced to some apparently insignificant beginning. In an unwatchful moment—even in a short interview—there may be the beginning of an acquaintanceship which the Lord cannot approve, but even if commenced it is less difficult
to break off that friendship, at the outset before it is too strong, or to refuse to continue it at a point when it can be honourably ended. Be watchful therefore of the small beginnings; be sure you have the Lord’s approval before you allow yourself to be committed to such a friendship, for “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
Consider that ship on the sandbanks; she is only just on the edge, close to the deep water channel, yet she has become a wreck. There was a moment when she deviated ever so slightly from the straight course. This was quite imperceptible at first, but gradually the deviation became apparent to those who were watching so anxiously, knowing the presence of dangerous sands. Then came the disaster, for she struck the sandbank. Even then had a strong tow-line been available she might have been saved, but there was none.
Now let us review the course of one who has made shipwreck of his life here as a Christian.
He was once in the deep water channel, bidding fair for a successful and safe voyage, but on one sad day he deviated, ever so little, from the straight course. It was only the unpremeditated meeting with an acquaintance, but she was unconverted and he a believer in Jesus. He was slightly attracted, and she was quick to observe this. Gradually the acquaintance ripened into a friendship, though he promised himself it would go no farther. He tried to persuade himself and his fellow Christians, who were anxiously watching, that he was only trying to help her in eternal matters, but in reality he knew it to be a false step towards an unequal yoke. It would have been easy even then to have broken it off and to have resumed the right course. God would have helped him and given him a companion of like precious faith with interests similar to his own, who would have become a true yoke-fellow; but the
voice of conscience was stifled; the plain and definite injunction of the word, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers”, was ignored; and the companionship deepened into an engagement. The influence of the one who loved not our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity soon told its sad tale. The word of God was neglected, for it made him uneasy; his prayers became cold and formal; he avoided his fellow Christians, for they evidently were not in sympathy with him.
The deviation became more apparent, until at last the disaster came—an unholy marriage; the unequal yoke was formed. There is no need to enlarge upon the sad, sad sequel; it is only too well known, for “God is not mocked—for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”.
Then consider the sorrowful path of the young believer who responded so light-heartedly to the attentions of the attractive but unconverted young man. She endeavoured to stifle her conscience by hoping that she might be the means of his conversion, but she overlooked the word that “the friendship of the world is enmity with God”, and forgot that the first consideration of one who loves Christ is to be faithful to Him and to act in obedience to His word. Against all the pleadings of her parents and Christian friends, she continued the friendship and was eventually married, though he was still an unbeliever. Now she has proved that it was the greatest mistake of her life, though it cannot be retracted.
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But this is written for those who, though in danger, have not yet passed the point of comparatively easy recovery. The appeal is made, and the warning is given, while the deviation is yet small, that you may be delivered from the wrong course and brought back into the straight channel by the goodness of God. It may be asked, By what power can one who has to face such a great temptation be preserved or recovered?
The only answer is, The power of the love of Christ. Under the constraining influence of that love your reply will be, ‘For His sake who loved me and gave Himself for me, and by His power I must refuse the unequal yoke’. Not that you have strength in yourself, but “the Lord is at hand” (He is close by you), and it is still true that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”.
Peter was walking on the water to go to Jesus when he saw the wind boisterous and was afraid. He took his eye off Jesus and, beginning to sink, he cried saying, “Lord, save me”. Do you feel that the temptation, the natural affection, is too strong for you? Your only resource is to cry, “Lord, save me”. Immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him. That hand is stretched out still. It is the all-powerful hand of the Son of God. It will support you even when to nature the position is impossible. It is the hand of our great High Priest, who is
“able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him” (Hebrews 7: 25). The opportunity is yours now; the breach is widening and the recovery will become more difficult every day you go on, “Let not thine heart decline to her ways; go not astray in her paths”
Let the appeal of the love of Christ affect you before you are shipwrecked as to your Christian path and testimony, for He says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble—I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50: 15).
From “Goodly Words”, 1929
(Quotations are from the Authorised Version)