< 2 Corinthians 6 >

By belief and baptism they had come into God’s favour, and Paul exhorted them to do the Lord’s will that they might finally receive the gift of eternal life. Now is the time of opportunity: now, during our lifetimes, we can learn the commandments of Christ and obey them: “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”.

To be yoked is when two animals like two oxen are fastened together for the purpose of carrying out some work, for example plough the field. An unequal yoke would be two animals yoked together who are different, for example a donkey and an ox. This would be impractical and may negatively impact the work. Paul instructs to “not be unequally yoked” with unbelievers.

The disciples of Christ have entered into fellowship with him and with God, but they do not remain in fellowship if they join together with unbelievers. The vital lesson is that true disciples must separate themselves from the world. If we do this God promises to receive us and be our Father, making us his children.