ESOCS Devotional 19 March 2026 – Challenges of the Evangelical Ministry
MEMORY VERSE: “Don’s team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14 NLT
TEXT: 2 CORINTHIANS 6:12-18
You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
17 Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”
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In verses 15 and 16 of our text, Paul’s questions to followers of Jesus Christ are quite glaring and profound, thus: What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and that of idols?
He concluded by reminding Christians that they are the temple of the living God – denoting that believers should have nothing in common with unbelievers. By extension, Paul indicated that the Church is God’s spiritual temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; Hebrews 3:6; 1 Peter 2:5, 9). He insists that believers should know the only one true and Living God, and therefore should never place themselves in a situation of compromise. Moreover, Paul warns that any form of compromising stance will encourage those who have given themselves over to Satan to continue in their ungodly ways.
Paul reminds Christians that as God dwelt in the midst of ancient Israel, so He now dwells in the spiritual present Israel – the New Jerusalem – the Church (John 14:23; 1 John 4:12; 15:16; Revelation 21:3). It follows therefore, that, since God dwells in those who have obediently responded to His will, then, they can have no fellowship with those who have not submitted to His will.
God commanded ancient Israel to dissociate themselves from the heathen nations (Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34). So, the Church must come out from the influence of the world of idol worship (Revelation 18:4). Moreover, those who separate themselves from every form of evil will find a Father in God (2 Samuel 7:14; Revelation 21:7). In other words, those who have found fatherhood in God, have been made sons and daughters of the Most High God (John 1:12; Romans 8:14; Galatians 4:5-7). “Come out, therefore, from among them, and be ye separate.”
Reflections
- Friendship with the world or enmity with God: which do you subscribe to?
Prayer
- Lord Jesus, please cause me to come away.
Further Reading: 1 Samuel 9:15-27; Jeremiah 5:20-31; Luke 15:11-32
ESOCS Devotional 19 March 2026
