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 Not
all integration is good. In fact, the Bible warns against a kind
that is detri- mental and to be avoided; namely, the integration
of the Christian with the world. This is not the unavoidable
contacts with sinners of the world as mentioned in 1 Cor. 5:10,
but it is the willful entangling alliances made with the world
that become a hindrance to serving God. God has plainly
legislated against the kind of integration in which the
Christian yokes himself with these unbelievers and makes himself
the friend of the world. (2 Cor. 6:14; Jas. 4:4)
The
people of God have always been governed by this fundamental
principle of separation. From Sinai the Israelites were warned
against making covenants with the inhabitants of idolatrous
nations. (Ex. 34: 12-16) Intermarriage was strictly forbidden.
(Deut. 7: 3,4) In referring to such pro- hibitions, Paul reminds
Christians to “Come ye out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord —“ (2 Cor. 6:17) The Lord’s
church is comprised of those who have been called out of
darkness into a segregated state of holiness and sanctification.
This being true, “What communion hath light with darkness?”
or “what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity?” (6:14)
In an apparent reference to yoking unclean beasts, Paul shows
that such an unequal yoke would exist between believer and
unbeliever. Such is the case when one who has been cleansed by
the blood of Christ yokes himself with one who refuses such
cleansing.
Integrating
with the world carries absolutely NO advantages and many dis-
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advantages for God’s people. The same persuasive influence that yoked the
believer with the unbeliever will persist in the yoked
relationship — if not intensify — and always to the
detriment of the believer. Many believers have erred in thinking
that they could convert an unbeliever by sticking their neck in
a yoke with them. Judgement will show that many merely exchanged
their souls for a yoke. The Israelites practiced forbidden
integration with disastrous results. They “mingled themselves
with the nations and learned their works, and served their idols
which became a snare unto them.” (Ps. 10:35,36) Even wise and
once -faithful Solomon was turned away from God h the influence
of his ungodly wives. History proves that indiscriminate
mingling of saints and sinners always produces more sinners and
fewer saints.
The
life of every Christian should be a protest against integrating
with the world. Christ and the world are travelers that journey
in opposite directions. One may follow Christ or walk
with the world, but none can do both. In walking with the world,
the Christian counts the blood of Christ wherewith he has been
sanctified (segregated) as an unholy thing and trods underfoot
the Son of God. (Heb. 10: 29)
If
continued, the integration of inequality becomes one of equality
in darkness. The believer who was separated to God becomes
separated from Him. Integration was never achieved at a greater
price! Dan S. Shipley
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