Post by pitbull on Dec 14, 2005 8:33:46 GMT -5
There are very few congregations today that teach [let alone obey] the Biblical doctrine of separation, which is sometimes known as holiness [Leviticus 11:44-45; Isaiah 52:11; 1 Peter 1:15-16]. If they do not mention it, they will only teach that we need to separate ourselves unto God, but they do not mention what we are to separate ourselves from.
If we are to be Christians who live holy and separated lives, then we need to separate ourselves from spiritual unions with:
• Sinful practices [Ephesians 4:22-24; 5:3, 11]
• Worldliness [Matthew 6:24; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:115-16]
• The lost [Deuteronomy 7:2-6; Psalm 1:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17]
• Other believers actively engaged in sinful practices [1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15]
• False preachers and churches [1 Samuel 5:1-5; Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:2-5; Titus 3:10; 2 John 10-11; Revelation 18:4]
We need to remember to separate ourselves unto God AND to separate ourselves from that which will damage our testimony or pull us away from God. There needs to be that spiritual balance. If you do not practice both, eventually you will not practice either one.
If we are to be Christians who live holy and separated lives, then we need to separate ourselves from spiritual unions with:
• Sinful practices [Ephesians 4:22-24; 5:3, 11]
• Worldliness [Matthew 6:24; Romans 12:2; 1 John 2:115-16]
• The lost [Deuteronomy 7:2-6; Psalm 1:1; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17]
• Other believers actively engaged in sinful practices [1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15]
• False preachers and churches [1 Samuel 5:1-5; Romans 16:17; Galatians 1:8-9; 2 Timothy 3:2-5; Titus 3:10; 2 John 10-11; Revelation 18:4]
We need to remember to separate ourselves unto God AND to separate ourselves from that which will damage our testimony or pull us away from God. There needs to be that spiritual balance. If you do not practice both, eventually you will not practice either one.