November 2, 2017 COME OUT
2 Corinthians 6:17-18 “Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord, touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
John 17:16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
We live in the world-we work, we build houses, we shop, we play golf, we marry, we plan for our future-yet, Jesus says that we are not of the world. Because we are so involved in worldly affairs, we may forget that even though we live in the world, we are not of this world. For us to be made ‘no longer of the world’ is indeed a fantastic miracle. Not being of the world, implies that we are different sort of beings with a different nature, living a life unlike those who live in the world. God has not re-furbished us, but has given us a new nature, a new heart, and a new spirit, and this new person that He has made us sets us apart from those who do not know Him as Savior. However, scripture warns us that it is possible for the believer to revert back to his old nature and not walk according to the Spirit, and this is why we have the admonition to “come out from among them and be separate.” It is absolutely necessary and most important that we walk according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh if we are to live a life not of the world. Because God has purified us and made us holy, because we belong to Him, and because He has put His Spirit in us, we are to live in purity and holiness because that is who we are. There is no mixture with God and He does not share His glory, and He does not co-habit with our old nature. It is not a matter of trying to be holy and pure, but a matter of being pure and holy because that is who we are; not to live as such is contrary to our new nature. As believers, we have the opportunity to come out of darkness and live in the light. Coming out from them and being separate has practical implications for us. This clear instruction means that we do not participate in activities that do not honor or please the Lord. Just as an example, there are some movies or programs that should not watch; there are some activities we should not participate in, etc. However, scripture does not tell us to not to associate with those who are not believers, but rather to be light in the darkness-without an attitude of judging. (Jesus spent time with sinners.) In this life, we will be surrounded by those who do not know the Lord, but even though we are around them, we live out of a new nature, and because of this new nature within us, we live as unto the Lord. The key is that rather than being conformed to the ways of the world, we live being conformed to the Spirit of God who indwells us. And when we live as unto the Lord, consecrated to Him, we will experience Him as our Father. Remember, we cannot be pure and holy by our own effort, but only by discovering who we are in Christ can we live in holiness and purity. So, let us make choices that are in agreement with the new nature that God has given us.
1 Peter 1:15-16: “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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