Got Yoke?

By Justin Edwards

There is not one living person who does not have a yoke. One either has the yoke of Christ, or a burdensome yoke of the world. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30:

²⁸ Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Who are you yoked to? This yoke will either guide you in clothing on Christ and His characteristics, or the yoke will be of the world and drive you as a slave. The latter is heavy, it is oppressing, and you will never obtain the joy you may be seeking.

When we put on the yoke of Christ, we learn to love Him and love His teachings and commandments. We submit to His authority as humble servants, and we are positioned to grow in grace and manifest His character (fruit of the Spirit). We cast all of our cares before Him and He sustains us, we learn to rejoice in the Lord in all situations, we learn to fear nothing for He is our strength and our salvation, and He provides a joy, hope, and peace that surpasses all understanding.

A born again Christian who unequally yokes themselves with unbelievers, whether this be relationships or business deals, is in for a world of turmoil as we are unlike the world, and the world does not think like children of God. It would be like yoking an ox with a donkey - can you see how that might be a problem? 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 says,

¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

We can also allow the yoke of religion to be put around our necks. This is the very thing Peter told the Jerusalem Council over the dispute regarding circumcision. He said to them in Acts 15:10,

Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

We see so many religious rituals and traditions ensnaring the church today and this is not what God has called us to. Practicing traditions of men will not draw you closer to God, for we draw closer to the Father through the Son. Formulated prayers, mystical practices, employing props (prayer shawls, beads, hats, candles, incense, stations, etc.), even denominations, or any form of religiosity does nothing to give you greater intimacy with Christ. This comes through prayer and study of the Word of God, allowing Him to conform us to His likeness. By presenting ourselves as living sacrifices and being transformed by the renewing of our minds, we can know God's will for our lives and He will draw closer to us as we draw close to Him.

I encourage you to take some time to listen to this message by my pastor, Loran Livingston, from May 16, 2010 - it is a must listen! I am having difficulty embedding the video into this post, but clicking the link will take you directly to the video. The only thing man offers is a yoke of bondage. Allow Christ to consume you and put on His yoke, for it is indeed easy and light. Jesus is our peace that passes all understanding - there is nothing else we need.

What Kind of Yoke - Loran Livingston, May 16, 2010