MONDAY, MAY 29
1 Corinthians 5:9-10
John 17:14-15

"…Christ our passover
is sacrificed for us."

BIBLICAL SEPARATION IS NOT ISOLATION

Biblical separation is not isolation. In history, there were those who brought separation to the extreme. These men would hide in caves to isolate themselves from the rest of the world.

But God did not intend for us to go into isolation. Jesus taught in John 17:14-15, "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." Christians are in the world, but not of the world!

What Paul and Jesus were teaching us is the importance of bearing a good testimony to the unbelieving world, yet keeping oneself separate from the sinful activities of unbelievers. It is necessary for Christians to interact with unbelievers in order to be a witness for Christ and to preach the gospel to them. Otherwise, how would the unbelievers of the world find salvation in Christ? Now that Christ has ascended, we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt 5:13-16).

On the other hand, Christians must take care not to have company with fornicators (1 Cor 5:9). The word for "company" carries the idea of close cooperation or intimate fellowship. By partaking of the sinful activities of sinners, you are partaking of their sin! "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor 15:33).

THOUGHT: Christians are in the world, but not of the world.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to be a pure witness for Thee.