first assembly

Genesis 14 we see that Abram has just gotten back from a raiding party. Bringing his nephew Lot and all his peoples back out of captivity from the King of Elam and the other kings aligned with him. Abram and his 318 fighting men accomplished what they set out to do...get Lot and his family back. But a funny thing happened on the way back...The King of Sodom wanted to get "connected" with Abram. The King of Sodom said in vs. 21 Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.

Abram thought differently...he knew that this exchange was more than the exchange. This connection would have meant a tying together of sorts. A bonding, that Abram knew wasn't what he should do. In chapter 12 we already see where God has made a covenant with Abram...He was a man of God! And so connecting, bonding with the King of Sodom {who's city and peoples reputation was well known} would have meant that Abram was in some ways approving of their wickedness.

In the New Testament we see that we're not to be unequally yoked. Sometimes that scripture is thrown around for marriage. But it's more than that...it's don't bond yourself to someone who's value system, paradigm and lives are not consistent with yours. I'm not by any way saying don't have friends that are different, {how will you be able to reach people for Christ if all of your friends are already saved} the Bible tells us clearly; Jesus gives us a new command...Love One Another. That includes everyone, people like you, people different from you, people you like and people you necessarily don't like! But should you not go into business, get married, etc. with anyone who's flow is different than yours. You'll end up where you don't want to be.

With all of this, be like Abram...be careful about who you bond yourself with! It has profound effects...just ask Lot's wife.