2co 06v17 Be Ye Separate

"...BE YE SEPARATE..."

II Corinthians 6:17

There is a self-righteous separation which we should avoid. Our Lord never taught his disciples to isolate themselves from sinful men. We cannot preach the gospel to people to whom we will not speak. Nor did our Lord teach his disciples to refrain from the enjoyment of entertainment, amusement, or recreation, so long as they are not overly indulged in. Despite what many will say, sports, music, and television are not necessarily sinful. Neither did our Lord forbid his disciples the use of anything he had created. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink." Use all things. But abuse none.

Yet, the Bible does require separation in the people of God. Believers and unbelievers really have nothing in common. Light and darkness, righteousness and unrighteousness; Christ and Satan have no agreement. Children of God, seek your companions among God's children. "How can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Those who love Christ, love the gospel, seek God's will, and seek God's glory strengthen one another's hands. Nothing can be more detrimental to a believer's life on this earth than to be married to an unbeliever. Your desires, motives, ambitions, and principles will be exact opposites, An unbelieving husband or wife would be like a millstone around your neck. Your pastor urges you for Christ’s sake, for he gospel’s sake, and for the sake of your own happiness to avoid this intolerable burden.

And, as God's children, we are to live by a principle of separation. The principle by which the people of this world live is self-interest. They are seeking, wealth, security, fame, property, and power. The children of God live by another principle – The Glory of Christ. Live in this world for Christ’s glory. Make the glory of Christ paramount in all your decisions – Who will I marry? Where will I live? Where will I work? If you will seek Christ’s glory in your everyday life you will not go far astray.