TODAY IN THE WORD
A recent news story says that Chinese president Jiang Zemin ordered the Communist party to set up party cells in the country’s private firms in an attempt to maintain party power. Zemin said party representation in the private sector is necessary to “guarantee healthy development.” He also said the Communist cells would help to “unite and educate entrepreneurs” and “protect the employees’ interests.” Observers say Chinese Communist officials are actually more worried about maintaining their grip on a fast-changing nation.

What a picture of two unequal partners: one committed to absolute control, and the other to free enterprise. No one knows yet how this forced “partnership” will proceed in China, but it’s unlikely to do much good for affected businesses. The same news article said that Communist party officials in China’s state-owned companies often wield more power than the firms’ managers.

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers” is one of the best pieces of advice for any Christian considering marriage. This statement applies to other forms of partnership or relationship, of course, but it’s especially wise for a marriage.

You don’t have to be married to see that true intimacy cannot exist when one partner lives in the light while the other is in darkness. Christ’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom don’t co-exist peacefully anywhere in creation, so it’s not surprising that trying to bring these two realms under the same roof is a recipe for heartbreak.

Besides the application to single Christians who hope to get married someday, these warning verses are also very valuable for Christian marrieds. Ideally, a husband and wife who are following Christ act as a unit, seeking the mind of Christ and spiritual agreement on their decisions.

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Yesterday’s application is one example of how we can practice accountability, either with a spouse or another Christian brother or sister.

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