LORD’S DAY, JULY 23
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
2 Corinthians 6:17-18

"…be ye separate, saith the Lord…
And will be a Father unto you…"

BE SEPARATE UNTO THE LORD

The sixth sign of born-again believers is they separate themselves unto the Lord, for there is no true sanctification without separation. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (2 Cor 6:17-18). These commands are not from men or the church, but from the Lord God Almighty, the Creator! Those who ignore or are against the doctrine of Biblical Separation and compromise and worship with the ungodly and unbelievers cannot be God’s "sons and daughters" no matter how big their faith is with their signs and wonders as their faith is not founded on God’s Word. God did so love mankind that "he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16), that He desires "all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim 2:4), and that He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). Then, why does God command His children to be separate? Because of His holiness and righteousness!

The incarnation, the death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ show not only God’s love but also God’s holiness and righteousness. Because of His holiness, God hates sins and never condones sins. Because of His righteousness, God has to deal with sins and condemn sins. And because of His love and righteousness, God let His only begotten Son die to bear the sins of mankind and rise again to save those who repent and believe in Him. The Lord Jesus Christ lived in this world with the purpose to glorify His Father and to finish His Father’s work, even God’s salvation for mankind. God also puts His children in the world to glorify Him and to do His work as witnesses unto Christ (Acts 1:8). They are in the world, but are "not of the world" (John 17:15-16) and are "not conformed to this world" (Rom 12:2). Rather, they must be His holy temple, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them" (2 Cor 6:16), and be "ambassadors for Christ" to help others be reconciled to God their Creator (2 Cor 5:20). What about you?

THOUGHT: Am I separated unto the Lord?
PRAYER: Lord, keep me separated unto Thee always.