Come Out From Among Them

Therefore, come out from among them (unbelievers) and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. 2 Cor. 6:17

Be separate!
This involves more than just gathering together for a couple of hours on Sunday mornings. In many cases, the gathering is of believers AND unbelievers. What fellowship is THAT?

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God.
2 Cor. 6:14-16

There are at least three reasons I can think of… (four, I just thought of another) to separate ourselves from among them.

1. The obvious one, to not be embroiled in the world.
    We are the “ecclesia” …an assembly of called out ones.

2. We are to be a witness, by example of our lives, to the world.
    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify
    your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16.

3. To fellowship and commune with one another (believers).
    I would have you read Heb. 10:19-25. (promise to read it)

4. And most importantly, to worship and commune with God.
   Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in      
   the beauty of holiness Psalm 29:2.

This is a hard thing (for the flesh) to do completely. We are, unfortunately, a group of people that are, in fact, involved in the world. We do not accept the Amish (Quakers) concept of separation. I don’t know about the rest of their doctrine, beliefs, etc; and I do not care to do any research on that now. I only know their separation is extreme to us, but it IS obvious.

We do not want to associate with that kind of (heretical?) extremism. Understandable if it is indeed heretical, to which then I would agree. And then there is the separation (ethnic, political and religious) that the Lord has put on the Jewish people. It is imposed upon them, that no matter where they go, they are Jews…a historical legacy like no other race. This is an example to us. But our separation is not at all obvious. And I say to myself, if I do not see it, then it is much less obvious to unbelievers.

But more importantly…are we defiling ourselves? I am talking about individuals. One might say to me, “What are you blind? What do you see in church on Sunday morning?”. I’ll ask you, What does the world see in church on Sunday morning? Someone once said, “Going to church no more makes you a Christian than standing in a garage makes you an automobile.” And then I would ask, what does the world see on Monday morning? Write back and tell me.

I am 75 years old. The Lord saved me in 1977 and I have been studying and trying to be the best I can, always wanting to be better…ever since, with failings and disappointments. I am not where I wish to be nor where I suspect the Lord would have me be (spiritually). But the fact of the matter is, the more one learns, the more one SEES.

Separation is about holiness. We have been called “unto holiness” 1Thess 4:7.
Therefore, every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor 1 Thess 4:4.

And it is all about HIS holiness in us. There can be no tolerance of sin, or corruption, or compromise with respect to His Word and Will. And His Word and His Will say, BE YE SEPARATE.
“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:  I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters," says the LORD Almighty.  2 Cor 6:14-18. 

I don’t think any believer would argue the doctrine of separation (I could be wrong). In fact, I am sure most of us could agree on doctrine, insofar as what the Bible says. But then the hard part separates the men from the boys, as it were. The hard part being the interpretation of doctrine for practical application. Is that why there are so many denominations? What is that word…denomination? It is from the Latin nominare which means “to name”. So have we all taken upon ourselves the name of a baptist? The name of a methodist? The name of a saint? The name of a reformer? And some, even names of heretics?
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” Acts 4:12.  

How about SCHISMS? We don’t like that word do we. The Word of God does not speak of separation from each other! In fact there is rebuke,
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Cor 1:11-13. 

FOOLISHNESS! See also 1 Cor 3:4. Look around at all the divisions. Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Wesleyans, Calvinists, Darbyites, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, etc, etc, etc. Look on the Internet!  It makes it difficult for me and others. I suppose there is nothing to be said but, So Be It. Some have indeed rightfully separated themselves from those who follow heretics. I look for that local assembly in my town. And where is the local assembly in my brother’s town? Or in any town?

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him Col 3:17.

I have digressed in the extreme. I am studying separation from the world.
The doctrine of separation is separation from WORLDLINESS.
“Who is on the Lord’s side?” said Moses. The first thing we must do as a child of the most holy God is, separate ourselves from the wickedness that infests every venue of this world we (temporarily) live in. The constant bombardment of the perverse seductions of this world can be overwhelming. The world is seduced by philosophies, literature, science, music, all media, fashion, politics, even “religion”. “Christian” rock is NOT Christian; Christian psychology is NOT Christian; too many Christian broadcasts are NOT Christian…or at least not biblical. There is no doubt the perversion has crept into the church. Paul battled it from the beginning and warned,
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock”  Acts 20:29.

The word “Christian” has come to encompass much false teaching. Instead of separating from worldliness, Christianity has homogenized itself with the world. It’s called ecumenism. Compromises in order to get along in the world, or to make the Word more palatable, or for political correctness. Who can recognize heresy? You don’t know Who God is if you think you can “market” Him! It is sickening and saddening to me to see what the world and, in some cases the so-called Christian community, has done to the image of God and Jesus Christ. Who can recognize blasphemy? I do not speak of the true Church, of that body which will remain spotless from the world. I speak of the industry of Christianity, the organized economic and ecumenical activity of religion.

True believers of faith must separate from this error and return to biblical principles of godliness in our everyday Christian walk and witness. Separated not just spiritually because of what God has done for us (we are positionally thus separated in Christ) but also materially. Scripture also speaks of individual behavior not associated with the vileness of the world. Witnessing by lifestyle not by debating. Worldliness feeds our old man. We must separate ourselves from the “leaven” in the world, and also purge leaven from within.

Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” 1 Peter 1:13-16.