Unequal

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 2 Corinthians 6:14-15
I have some thoughts on this that I would like to express. I think this is really important concept to be equally yoked with our partner for life. Many times we do not give enough thought to the long range  effects of being unequally yoke. When you have children and grandchildren, both parents have an influence on them. If unequally yoked that influence will be different and run in a different direction. MY first wife and I were from the same denomination, but we thought so differently. It has been difficult for our children. We were not united as a team. Our beliefs about discipline and so many other things were wide apart. I tried to discipline, she tried to be their friend. I remember at the beginning that it seemed we were OK, We came from the same church after all. We were as different in our belief system as night and day. I remember a lady I worked with and went to church with, she went through a divorce and then married a man of Bahai faith, and as far as I know, she no longer attends the church of her faith. Being unequal does not work in the long term. I have seen many couples where one partner will go to one church and the other partner to another church. When we marry, God joins us together to be one. We need to become one, and each thing that divides us works against this unity in the marriage. I know a pastor locally, I have never seen his wife go to church with him except one or twice at a special program like a Pastor anniversary. It appears to me, there is a problem in that marriage. Our society ridicules our Vice President and his policy to be very careful about being around the opposite sex, when we should be following his example. I wonder how much thought we give to this precept of God when we choose a mate.  I do know God's way works. I remember a minister a few years back had a new car on stage as he talked about this concept. Many times we give more thought and research into buying a car than we do for a life mate. We need to take care and look to God's guidance in choosing a mate. If we manage to stay together a life time, until death do part, there are so many stresses in life that will try to tear you apart. I remember a mother in law and father in law that had a piece of tape across their floor to divide their space, and separate refrigerators etc. His chair was on his side of the room and hers on hers. That my friends is not being equal. My marriage with this individual did not work either and I do not know any more about that couple. I only saw them one time and I will never forget that tape dividing the room. I have learned there are more things in life to divide us and the stresses of life are great. It is so important to carefully consider that mate and to look to be equal when we unite in marriage. It is God's plan and we need to give much thought to his words. God's ways, his precepts, his words, his plans work. Look to God for direction.  God bless, LVZ.