The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the church at Corinth (and to us), writes:
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, NASB)
God is concerned about with whom we associate. He wants us to remain pure and clean. This is the main point in this passage from Paul’s letter. Paul uses several comparisons to make his point: “What partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?”
Paul goes on to say that “we are the temple of the living God.” Therefore, we must remain clean and undefiled. We want the Holy Spirit to be comfortable and find real in His home!
, https://darlenesponderings.com/2019/03/18/what-partnership
Finally, for those of us who remain pure, God makes these promises: “I will be their God, and they shall be My people . . . And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me.”
God doesn’t want us to hang around with unbelievers. He’s concerned about the unrighteousness we’ll encounter. Of course, we need to be around future believers, for we might be the ones who lead them to Jesus! Jesus frequented with “sinners and tax collectors,” but He is God–He lived a perfect life, free from sin, for this was His mission! God prefers that His people will fellowship with other believers. He has promised great hope for His people who remain pure!
Worship: “Mercy Came Running,” by Phillips, Craig & Dean