Part III
God’s
Explanation of Separation
Intro:
When preaching on the subject of separation, it is apparent that many people
feel that the definition of separation is so varied and so diverse that it
leaves it open to subjective reasoning.
This has always been the default behavior of mankind when
left to himself.
·
Judges
21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was
right in his own eyes.
Some may say that this is the best way to deal with life and
behavior issues, since the Bible says in Romans
14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
The problem with that is the simple fact that doing what is
right in our own eyes can get us in trouble!
·
Proverbs
12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto
counsel is wise.
·
Proverbs
21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the
hearts.
Definition of PONDERETH: to regulate, measure, estimate, ponder, balance, make even, level,
weigh, be equal, be weighed out, test, prove; estimate; to be made even or
right, be adjusted to the standard
There must be a standard to which our heart can be pointed
in order to avoid the confusion and discrepancy of every man doing that which
is right in his own eyes.
But who sets that standard?
The pastor? The man
of God preaches and teaches separation, or at least he’s supposed to!
The church? As a
pastor, I have leadership requirements and defined rules and boundaries in this
church…
The Christian school? We have a very detailed handbook on
what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior in the school…
The husband or the daddy? Is the man in the house the one
that defines Biblical separation for the home?
The truth is obvious – God
sets the standard.
·
Romans
3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar;
·
John
17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
authors of the bestsellers.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
stars in the latest hit TV reality show.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
pastors of the mega-churches.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
editors of the Christian magazines.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
opinions of the secular humanists.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
reporters and commentators on the news networks.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
politicians and pundits and late night TV comedians.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
bloggers and tweeters and social media crowd.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
rantings and ravings of bitter and angry preachers.
We’d all be a lot better off if we’d stop listening to the
logic and reasoning of “enlightened” compromisers.
God’s explanation of Biblical separation is what we should
be concerned with.
Doesn’t it make sense that since He’s the Originator of the
Doctrine of Separation, that we ask Him what He thinks?
Since He’s the one that first practiced separation, and
preached separation, why don’t we see what He says about it?
Notice three things about God’s Explanation of Separation:
A. God’s Explanation is
Simple
God’s explanation of Separation uses simple,
easy-to-understand phrases.
1. Be ye not unequally yoked together – vs. 14 - This is the Premise of my
Separation
2.
Come out from among them – vs. 17 – This is the Price of my
Separation
3.
Be ye separate – vs. 17 – This is my Position of my Separation
4.
Touch not the unclean thing – vs. 17 – This is my Purity of my
Separation
B. God’s Explanation is
Strict
Definition of SEPARATE (vs. 17) to mark off from others by boundaries, to limit, to separate; in a bad
sense: to exclude as disreputable; in a good sense: to appoint, set apart for
some purpose; to sever
NOTICE some of the implications of this word SEPARATE:
1.
to mark off from others
– this means I can’t always run with the crowd; I must be ready to stand alone
2. by
boundaries – I have guidelines and principles that they don’t have; I
must live within these boundaries
3. to
limit – I will have to say NO to myself and to others. I have liberty to OBEY; not liberty to
DISOBEY.
Galatians 5:13 For,
brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an
occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
4. to
exclude as disreputable – I may have to declare some activities and
some people as disreputable
Ephesians 5:11 And
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove
them.
Even it makes me look like a stick in the mud, just because
everybody else thinks it’s great doesn’t mean it is!
ILLUSTRATION: Just because the characters in Duck
Dynasty pray over their meal, that doesn’t justify their WINERY!
·
Proverbs
20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink
is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
5. to sever – I
may have to cut some things out of my life and some people out of my life to be
separate
I John
2:15-17 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. 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. And the world passeth away,
and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
C. God’s Explanation is
Scriptural
The Bible is our Final Authority for all matters of faith
and practice.
The simple doctrine of separation is made simpler by obeying
the Word of God.
God has addressed every single aspect of our lives in His
Word.
Once we understand the Principle of Separation, - vs. 14, 15
Once we understand the Purpose of Separation, - vs. 16
Once we understand the Promises of Separation – vs. 18
The Word of God will define the Particulars of Separation. –
7:1
·
II
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.
NOTE: Agreeing
with the Principle, and understanding the Purpose doesn’t make you Separated.
You must actually COME OUT – AND BE SEPARATE in order for it
to work properly in your life.
There are people that agree that we must be separated, but
they watch and listen to filth.
There are people that agree that we must all be holy and
separate, but they dress immodest and seductively.
There are people that agree that we must all be pleasing to
God, but they insist on pleasing themselves.
The Bible is clear: Separation isn’t just about matters of
the heart.
Separation isn’t just about our attitude or our spirit.
Separation involves a purging of all filthiness of the flesh
AND spirit. – 7:1
God commands us to PERFECT HOLINESS.
He doesn’t command us to perfect liberty in Christ.
He doesn’t command us to perfect our rights as a believer.
He doesn’t command us to perfect our explanation of the
times.
He doesn’t command us to perfect our excuses for living like
the world.
He doesn’t command us to perfect our performance as
double-minded hypocrites.
He commands us to PERFECT HOLINESS!
Definition of PERFECTING: to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete; to take
upon one’s self; to make an end for
one’s self; to leave off; to appoint to, impose upon
Bottom Line: If
our practices are not lining up with simple Bible principles, we aren’t
separated.
If our lifestyle is conducive to the activities of the
world, and doesn’t set us apart from them, we aren’t separated.
If we aren’t constantly cleansing ourselves of all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, we aren’t separated.
If our daily goal and mindset isn’t perfecting holiness in
the fear of God, we aren’t separated.
