Separation from the World?

I would like to begin this blog by saying thank-you to the many readers from across the globe who are reading my blogs.  It makes it all worth-while to me even if only one or two catch the messages that I believe God keeps putting on my heart.  Today the Lord has been speaking to me about what it means, as a Christian, to live a life separated from the world.  When I first re-dedicated my life to the Lord, I remember how this idea confused me.  I just couldn't grasp what it could mean, since it seemed so contradictory that we are commanded to go out into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature (see Matthew 28:19-20)  Yet,  the following verses talk about separation, a deliberate act we consciously do: 

2Co 6:14    Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

2Co 6:15    And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

2Co 6:16    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.

2Co 6:17    Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2Co 6:18    And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

The key to understanding the concept of separation in the above verses has to do with those in the world who practice idolatry (verse 16), that is, they serve another god, and not the God we serve.  They will try to entice us to participate in their sin so that they don't have to come to terms with their own sinful practices and repent (see Galatians 6:12-14).  For example, has someone repeatedly offered you strong alcohol even when you don't drink?  Have they made you feel foolish because you don't like swearing and off-color jokes?  Have they tried to convince you that it's okay to have sex before marriage, or that you are being unkind if you openly disagree with a gay or lesbian lifestyle?  While we must keep love for others at the forefront, we must never love what God considers unholy and unrighteous just to try and fit in with those who practice sin and think nothing of it.  We need to take a stand and do so boldly and yet graciously.  Anything we allow into our lives that disrupts our communion with God must be severed.  Anything that does not bring glory to God where He is exalted is an idol and a thing of the world that we must not embrace.  Idolatry has to do with what we come to love and what we allow into our heart.  In the following verses, we are warned that if we love the world (not the people in the world), we do not love the Father: 

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.  

What happens when we go into the world and participate in the things of the world is that soon we can become enslaved to the very things that we were once set free from, or we become enslaved to something that has always tempted us and we give in to it.  We lose relationship with God, our testimony becomes ineffectual, and in the end, we find ourselves in worse shape than we could ever possibly imagine.  This is what happened to the children of Israel time and time again.  God had already set them apart for His glory, but they refused to follow His ways, became hardened of heart and participated in the most sinful and vile pagan practices imaginable.    Psalm 106 sums up the plight of the children of Israel.  I am only quoting a part of it here, but it is well worth reading all of Psalm 106 to see the progression of their downfall through an obstinate attitude and disobedience to the Lord. .

Psa 106:34    They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them:

Psa 106:35    But were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.

Psa 106:36    And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them.

Psa 106:37    Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, Psa 106:38    And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.

Psa 106:39    Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a whoring with their own inventions.

Psa 106:40    Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.

Psa 106:41    And he gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them.

Psa 106:42    Their enemies also oppressed them, and they were brought into subjection under their hand.

Psa 106:43    Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity.

Psa 106:44    Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:

Psa 106:45    And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. 

If we are to study the entire history of Israel we would discover that whenever Israel failed to obey God according to the covenant agreement He had made with them, it also had to do with unbelief.  So disobedience starts with unbelief and if we participate in the sins of the world, we become hardened in heart and then able to do despicable, ungodly and unholy things.  This leads to bondage to sin, which can come in the form of depression, oppression, and isolation from fellowship, severed relationships, loss of health, loss of purpose, finances, and in some cases, loss of life!  This should never happen for children of the most High God! 

Knowing what we need to avoid is one thing, but what do we need to do to live a life of separation from the world?  I have heard some people say that it means that we should isolate ourselves from the outside world, and not allow anything in our midst that hints of ungodliness.   The Apostle Paul addressed this very same thing.  If we completely isolate ourselves from the world, then we really serve no divine purpose here.  We are merely taking up residence. 

1Co 5:9    I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

1Co 5:10    Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 

If we shun people in the world who do these things and who do not know The Lord, then how can we possibly hope to reach them?  Rather than shun the people of the world for whom Christ died,  I believe instead we are to shun evil and the not adopt the ways of the world and blend in with them.  We have to stand out and be different for the sake of the Gospel.  How do we do this?  It is quite simple.  Look at the following: 

Rom 12:2    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

In Old Testament times, the children of Israel were to welcome the stranger and house and clothe and feed those in need.  

Deu 10:17    For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

Deu 10:18    He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.

Deu 10:19    Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Exo 22:21    Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

Exo 22:22    Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.

Even today they are taught to respect anyone not of the Jewish faith.  And if you have ever met or befriended a Jewish person, you would likely find this to be true.  They are most gracious.  Can Christians say they do the same?

We live in a world desperately in need of a Savior.  We must not be afraid of falling into the slippery clutches of the world and so fail to reach out to the many unsaved people who need a Savior.  For we have the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct us, and to protect us.  In the following verse, we have an amazing promise: 

Jud 1:24    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,