“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 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 idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty. ”” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:14-18‬ ‭NLT

Quoting from the Old Testament scriptures of Leviticus 26:12, Ezekiel 37:27, Isaiah 52:11, Ezekiel 20:34, and 2 Samuel 7:14 Paul makes a clear message to the Corinthians that God wants His children to be representatives of Him. We cannot claim to belong to Jesus and live like we belong to the devil. We must carry the gospel into the darkness so the light can dispel the darkness. We must get the salt out of the shaker so it can be placed upon what needs to be preserved, seasoned, and healed. Light is no good if it isn't exposed to darkness and salt is no good if it stays in the shaker. However, we must remain salt and light. We cannot become flavorless salt or powerless light (see Matthew 5:13-16). We are called to be God's ambassadors. We cannot claim to be on our way to heaven and live like we are going to hell. Our lives are to be a testimony of who we belong to and where we are headed. Without question, we live in a sinful, fallen world and we will be exposed to the corruption that sin has brought. However, We must not allow ourselves to be caught up in the deeds of wickedness while professing ourselves to be representatives of the righteous Lord! Yes, we are saved by the atoning work of Jesus. Our character and conduct should reflect that.

“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.”” ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Prayer for today: Father, in Jesus name, fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I may be empowered to represent you to this dark world.