2nd.Corinthians 6:14-18 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness ? and what communion hath light with darkness ? And what concord hath CHRIST with Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel ? 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. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a FATHER unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD ALMIGHTY."
The Bible teaches that every believer is to separate from false teachers (v.17; Ephesians 5:6-7 pictured above), from disobedient brethren (2nd.Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15 pictured below), and from the world (1st.John 2:15-17 pictured below). These are specific, simple, plainly-stated commands given by GOD for the spiritual welfare of HIS children (v.18). Sadly, it would be difficult to find another doctrine of Scripture that is more universally detested and disobeyed by the majority of professing Christians today. Failure to practice biblical separation has opened up the floodgates of compromise and apostasy to an unprecedented degree.
Many in the church today offer excuses as to why they refuse to obey GOD in this important matter. Some say, "Well, the fundamentalists tried separation, but it didn't work. Now, we realize they were mistaken. They should have emphasized unity rather than separation." The result is that many disobedient believers are now practicing unscriptural unity rather than biblical separation but guess what -- it "works" from a human, pragmatic standpoint ! Of course, we know that disobedience to GOD's WORD always brings ultimate disaster; however, the concept of unity -- any kind of unity -- is quite popular today, so those who still teach biblical separation are in great reproach.
Some excuse their disobedience to GOD's command to separate by claiming that they do not know how far to separate. However, the Bible says, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11). The LORD always knows what is best for HIS OWN. The doctrine of separation is often not easy to obey, yet it is clearly stated in Scripture. What GOD says, we must simply do. MHR
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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