Be Ye Separate!

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 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. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV 1900

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.

The Christian is not of the world, but has been sent into it as a new creature, to be a witness for Jesus Christ (John 17:18). The danger is to compromise with the evil customs and false doctrines with which he is surrounded.

I. Why is Separation Needed?

Because the two great currents of influence in the world are diametrically opposed to each other. “The Spirit of Truth and the spirit of error.” The purpose of the Lord Jesus Christ and “the god of this age” are vastly different.

1. “What Fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” How can the righteousness of God and the unrighteousness of Godless men abide in fellowship?

What is Righteousness? To do what is right!

How do we know what is right? We read in Romans 5:17 that righteousness is a free gift to those who believe. It is given to us!

2. “What Communion hath light with darkness?” Darkness, it is said, is the natural condition of the universe. Light is its conqueror. “Ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord.” Walk as children of light. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:6–11).

What is darkness? It is the absence of God!

Whatever conversation, actions or life style that opposes God is considered darkness.

3. “What Concord hath Christ with Belial?” Belial means worthlessness and wickedness. What harmony can exist between men and women of God and pure vileness and worthlessness? (Deut. 13:13).

4. “What Part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” The part of the believer is the knowledge of God and the joy of His salvation. What is the part of the infidel? An infidel is an unbeliever or an atheist. Why would we side with things that cause unbelief when we have the knowledge of God through the power of the Holy Spirit?

Why is our words sided with unbelief?

Why is our actions sided with unbelief?

Why do we cause unbelief in the people around us?

5. “What Agreement hath the temple of God with idols? “Ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Cor. 3:16). How could the Spirit of God agree to that which would dethrone God? Separation is absolutely needed.

Why have we not cast down the idols of this life? Modern idols are just as wrong as ancient idols! As a matter of fact it is the same demonic spirits that cause people to have idols in their life.

II. The Call to Separation.

“Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean” (v. 17). God at the first “divided the light from the darkness” (Gen. 1:4), and ever since man has been trying to blend them.

The carnal and the spiritual, the works of the flesh, with the works of the Spirit. In our minds and hearts, in our thoughts and affections, there is to be an exodus from the dominion of world influences, and a complete surrender of ourselves to the call of God. “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth, for ye are risen with Christ, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Eph. 3:1–3). They are reckoned enemies of the Cross who are devoted to earthly things (Phil. 3:18, 19). “Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Therefore come out and be separated for God and for His Christ.

III. The Promises Made to the Separated.

1. “I will receive you” (v. 17). You are not going out into cold isolation. When you separate yourself for God, you are but going closer into His arms, and nearer to His heart. The man of the world may look upon you with wondering pity, because he has no experience of fellowship with God or of victory by His constraining Spirit.

2. “I will be a Father unto you” (v. 18). Our God knows how very much we shall need Him when we are separated for Him. So He promises, and will act the true Fatherly part toward His devoted children. They can joyfully say: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us” (1 John 3:1). Fear not, He will not fail thee.

Having, therefore, these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord (chap. 7:1). Father, I will.

Receive the Promise!

CON: Being separate means to put God first in your life! Making the one true God, God of your life! What things in your life do you need to separate yourself from? He is here to help you come to the light and be the light! Come now and receive what God has for you this morning.

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