Saturday, January 18, 2014

BE YE SEPARATE - 1

BE YE SEPARATE – 1

The way of the world says, “If it isn’t fun or if I don’t get pleasure from it, then why do it?”  This way of thinking says that I am living for “me.”  If this is our purpose of living, it would have been unnecessary for Jesus to come and die that horrible death on the cross.  There is more to life than “me”.  This expression is fairly common with Christians:  We are in the world but not of the world.  This is the separation that we must understand.  Both aspects are important but they must have their correct place.

We are told in Isa.59:2 that sin separates us from God.  As Adam and Eve sinned, they could no longer remain in the Garden of Eden with God.  They were separated.  Thus, by inspiration of God, Paul instructed the Corinthian Christians to be separated in 2 Cor.6:17.  They, and we as well, were told to “come out from their midst.”  Why?  The world is full of sin.  Satan is there. 

When we accepted Christ as our Savior, our old ways were thrown off and we became brand new.  2 Cor.5:17   As we were baptized, our sins were washed away or forgiven and we came up out of those waters to walk in a new life.  Rom.6:4   This isn’t the end.  We must keep that “newness” and grow in Christ.

Paul was so amazed that some of the Galatians were going right back to their old ways.  Gal.1:6   This is stated well in Rev.18:4.  We are in a battle.  Only two sides exist—God vs. Satan.  We choose which side we join.  Toward the end of Joshua’s life he made an important choice.  Josh.24:15   Notice that he told the Israelites they would have to choose for themselves.  So it is with us.  Phil.2:12

Jesus prayed for His disciples as well as for us that we would be sanctified or set apart from sin.  Jhn.17:17-20   This was to be done by the Word.  This should be a very precious Scripture to us to think that Jesus prayed for us before He was put on the cross.  Jesus was sent into the world and we are in the world but we are set apart from the evil therein.  May we live up to that prayer.

To be separate from the world means that we don’t participate with them in the desires of the world.  Jam.4:4   If we did we would then become an enemy of God.  We would have joined the side of Satan in this battle.  The fact that we know something is wrong so we do not participate is not enough.  Rom.1:32   If we are present (not separating ourselves from the sin) and giving approval by our presence, we have sinned.  So much of the entertainment of the world is full of sin: unfaithfulness to spouse, sinful speech, fighting and arguing to promote selfish desires and so much more.  

If we allow ourselves to choose worldly pleasures for our entertainment, we are no longer separate from the world.  We are in the world and of the world.  So many types of entertainment are available today that can be enjoyed with the fellowship of other Christians.  We are blessed (if it is a blessing) with so many devices that ease our work so it leaves times for entertainment that in former days was unavailable.  But it also leaves many choices of the use of our time that is important to our Lord.

Is our time used for just “me.?  Eph.5:15-17   As we understand what the will of the Lord is by our growth in Bible study (that’s where we find the will of the Lord), our effort leaves “self” behind in pleasing Jesus.  Matt.6:33   When we walk with Jesus by our side (and He is within us) we can more accurately choose what is right.

Some questions to ask ourselves:  Would Jesus enjoy this?  Would He encourage me in this?  Could I invite Jesus to go with me or sit beside me?  If not, perhaps we are not separating ourselves from the world.  Jam.1:27   As we are in this world, we live a life of service to others but at the same time, we must keep ourselves away from those things they would “spot” or “stain” our spiritual lives.

As we are in the world, it is important that we are a good example not only to those in Christ but also to those of the world.  As Jesus developed from boyhood to the time He came to John to be baptized, He was growing in the way we are to grow.  Lk.2:52   Jesus grew in stature which we do.  He also grew in wisdom.  Some never strive to learn but just sit and let the world go by.  Through our study in Scripture we should be gaining wisdom.  This would be pleasing to God and if we live what we study we should gain favor of God.

Then notice, “in favor…and men.”  As we live lives separated from the world, we certainly don’t want to be obnoxious to the world.  This can happen.  We need to be loving, compassionate, humble, and forgiving.  We want to win the world for Jesus.  Matt.28:19,20   After the church had been established on Pentecost and Stephen had been stoned, persecution against the Christians caused many to flee Jerusalem.  Notice what they did.  Acts 8:4   Yes, they left but as they went they were spreading the gospel.  They were in the world and making the very best of the situation that they could.  Are we?  What example are we showing the world?  1 Pet.2:21    





UNSTOPPABLE - Book Review

UNSTOPPABLE
By Nick Vujicic

Nick Vujicic continues his inspiring writing in this second book with true stories as well as Scriptures which give background to “faith in action.”  This phrase is used throughout the book.  He shows the power of “faith in action” as we live “one step at a time.”  Vujicic addresses several types of problems that appear in life.  Some of them are divorce, suicide, depression, finding love, bullying, and more.  He reminds the reader that God is bigger than any of our problems.


“To have faith is not enough.  You have to exercise your faith, act upon it, and share it so that others are inspired to love God as you do.”  The title of the book comes from a statement, “When you are deeply rooted in faith, you are unstoppable.”  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.