Jump Start # 4035
2 Corinthians 6:15 “Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?”
Our verse today comes from an interesting set of passages. First, we notice the many opposites that are paired up: righteousness and lawlessness; light and darkness; Christ and Belial; believer and unbeliever; temple of God and idols.
Second, strung throughout these verses are multiple expressions that describe and define fellowship. Fellowship is not about coffee and basketball. It is all about that wonderful spiritual exchange we have with fellow believers. Paul uses these terms: bound together; partnership; fellowship; harmony; common; agreement.
Great studies can be built from these thoughts. Our verse shows us that there is little in common between a believer and an unbeliever. Keep this in the lane where it was put. The contrasts and the fellowship terms remind us that the apostle is talking about common ground spiritually. We may work with, live along side and eat at the same places as unbelievers, but that doesn’t mean we have that wonderful and deep spiritual fellowship. What is there in common spiritually with someone who bows to a rock or an idol?
But, what’s the opposite of that expression. If a believer has nothing in common with an unbeliever, what does a believer have in common with another believer? What do we have in common with each other? There may be many differences between us. Differences in age, education, experiences, likes and dislikes, yet we have something in common. The world accents the differences. Christ pulls us together and focuses upon what there is in common.
Here are a few things we have in common with fellow believers:
First, we are saved by the same blood. It is Jesus who saves us. Some are not saved one way and others a different way. If we are saved, it’s the same for all of us. Washed in the blood of Jesus is how we become cleansed.
Second, we have the same spiritual tools for growth and development. It’s the same for each of us and it is the same for all of us. The word of God, the Bible, is the source that generates faith in our hearts. Troubled, tired, twisted, tormented, each of us turns to the word of God for comfort, encouragement, strength and answers. The encouragement from fellow believers is something that strengthens us. And, the beautiful thing about that, coupled with prayer, is that each of us can put our fingers on those things. It’s not for the elite that only a few can afford to have. It’s not secluded to just a special few. All can have the Bible. All can worship with other believers. All of us can talk to our Father in Heaven. We have this in common.
Third, we all strive and long for the same goal spiritually, to be with our Father eternally. Heaven is where we want to be. This world has a way of tiring our spirits and our minds. Bad news. Wars. Unrest. Evil speaking. Lies. On and on it goes, but we know of a place where those things won’t be found. We know of a place that will be comfort. We know of a place that is the home of God. In common with others is that deep desire to be with the Lord eternally.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight—because we have something in common with each other. A common faith. A common work. A common goal. A common journey. We have a lot in common with one another.
Bless be the tie that binds our hearts together.
Roger