SEPARATION IS ‘OUR’ RESPONSIBILITY!

SEPARATION IS ‘OUR’ RESPONSIBILITY!

2 Cor 6:14-7:1

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

These days it is hard to tell a Christian from an unbeliever in everyday practice. You have to observe the subject closely for signs of Jesus. Because salvation is by grace, perhaps we are failing to understand that separation from evil is OUR responsibility. It is true that we have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb but that makes us unfit to continue some of our former practices.

THE REASONS FOR PERSONAL PURITY!

Quite simply, since our new birth there is no longer any “concord” or “communion” and therefore should be no yoke and no fellowship. The word “concord” is from the Greek word sumphonesis (soom-fo'-nay-sis) which forms the base for our English word “symphony.” We no longer play the same tunes because we have a new score sheet and a new Conductor for our lives. Can you imagine the percussion section stubbornly playing the score from the William Tell Overture while the rest of the symphony is playing a lullaby? There would be no agreement in tempo or tune. Why, then do so many professed believers harmonize so well with the world and the Devil?

The word “fellowship” in verse 14 is the word “sharer” or partner. It indicates a union of purposes and emotions and further indicates the enjoyment of one another’s company and companionship. Why are there so many who say they are believers but dislike the company of those in the church?  It seems they consistently prefer the company of the unsaved.

THE REASSURANCE OF HIS PROMISES!

2 Cor 6:17-18

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Ø God has chosen to dwell in you

Ø there should be an altar of prayer in you

Ø there should be worship in you

THE RESPONSE OF A FAITHFUL HEART!

2 Cor 7:1

7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

So…what are we going to do with these promises? God has promised to be our Father and to make us His sons and daughters. What are we going to do with that information? How should we respond?

Ø Live like a member of the family! Develop and display godly family traits.

Ø Become personally responsible for your own purity. Cleanse yourselves.

Ø Perfect (practice and improve upon) holiness in the fear of (respect for) God.

Dear Lord, I can’t expect you to keep me pure when I habitually and carelessly practice impurity! Work with me as I work to cleanse myself.  AMEN