Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

¹⁸ “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.”  2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

———————————–

We may not like this Scripture, but here it is, providing the command, the explanation, and even the promised blessing.  The command is “Do not be bound together withunbelievers”.  The explanation is “what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”.  The promise is “COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.  “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;  And I will welcome you.  “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.”  

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers” applies to a potential marriage between a believer and an unbeliever, but possibly other relationships as well.  This is also not a unique command taught only once in Scripture.  God taught it to the people of Israel, and Israel got into much trouble ignoring this commandment.  See for example Ezra Chapter 9.  Rather, than trying to twist Scripture into not governing our behavior, we need and seek God’s grace to obey.  

But, there is hope!

In a parallel Scripture, Isaiah 52:12 states:                                                                                   

“¹¹ Depart, depart, go out from there,
Touch nothing unclean;
Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves,
You who carry the vessels of the LORD.
¹² But you will not go out in haste,
Nor will you go as fugitives;
For the LORD will go before you,
And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”  

“⁷ The way of the righteous is smooth;
O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level.
⁸ Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O LORD,
We have waited for You eagerly;
Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls.”  Isaiah 26:7-8.

“³ “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
⁴ “Trust in the LORD forever,
For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.”   Isaiah 26:3-4.