THERE are only two states of existence before God: the flesh and the
spirit, darkness and light, death and life. The unbeliever walks
"according to the course of this world . . . according to the spirit
that worketh in the children of disobedience . . . fulfilling the
desires of the flesh . . . and are by nature the children of wrath".
This is a truth which must be courageously faced. However good, in
the worldly sense, however gentle or loving, the unbeliever is
disobedient to God -- and it is He who judges, not we ourselves. That
is why Paul wrote: "Do not unite yourself with unbelievers; they are
no fit mates for you. What has righteousness to do with wickedness?
Can light consort with darkness? Can Christ agree with Belial or a
believer join hands with an unbeliever? Can there be a compact
between the temple of God and the idols of the heathen? And the
temple of the living God is what we are" ( 2 Corinthians 6:14-16,
N.E.B.).
JOHN MARSHALL, The New Life, page 39