We need to be separating ourselves from those who practice a false Christianity. Why? Well, for one thing it confuses the lost. If the pseudo is a liar, thief, bigot -- whatever, they think we all are. Another is because it makes people think God is alright with sin. I'm not saying we should abandon erring spouses or family members -- though in extreme cases, even that may be necessary. No, I'm saying we should be careful who we fellowship with and appear to approve of. It is our job to reflect the truth of God to the world, not cover for those who love their sin.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 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. 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 be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty. -- 2 Cor 6:14-18
(caps for emphases)
Brothers and Sisters, we are called to be separate for a reason. Partnering with pseudo-Christians enables them. We need to draw the line and hold fast to it. We serve a HOLY, RIGHTEOUS God. He deserves to be honored diligently. We are not called to be endlessly patient with those who will not leave their sin. Look back at the early church. They put these charlatans out.
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Yeshua the Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Yeshua.
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out, therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. -- 1 Cor 5:3 - 7
On the surface this deals with fornication, but it would be true of all such sins where the participant is neither ashamed nor honestly attempts to abandon their sin. Habitual liars, adulterers, thieves, those who use God's word to profit themselves -- these all fall into this category, and we should seriously separate ourselves from them.
In our humility, we must not humiliate God. No! That is not what we are called to. No! We are called to glorify Him, and we don't do that by honoring the determined sinful.
So many times folks says, "Oh, be patient. Be long-suffering!" And, surely, we are, but there is a line, Brothers and Sisters. There is a point where we must give them over. When it becomes apparent that they love their sin -- after we have given them the truth -- after we have pled with them to turn -- if they insist on continuing in their wicked ways, we must walk away.
I tell you the truth. In serving God, I see it. I see that line where it becomes not patience, but approval. It is a line we must not cross. If we are called to preach and teach, it is a line we dare not cross. To do so is to dishonor God.
Did you notice that Paul JUDGED the guilty party? Believe it or not, like it or not, that is part of the job. We are to look at those who claim to be His and discern whether they truly are in Christ or not. God gives us that ability and responsibility for a reason -- to protect the flock.
Do not be deceived. Serving God is not about the pretense of being His. No, it is about being so intimately aware of His will that we exercise the authority He has given us in obedience -- not that we enjoy it or do so to lord it over others, but because it is necessary to keep that division clear to honor Him. It is Him we love and are bound to by all that we are, therefore, we will cut away those who prove out their love of the evil one by their actions.
IF you love Me, keep My commandments. -- Joh 14:15
Separate yourselves, therefore, from those who continue in their sin as though God approves. Be separate. Be holy. Be courageous. We are not called to be timid when we stand for Him. No, we are called to stand as though the God we serve is EXACTLY who He says He is.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 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. 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 be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters," saith the Lord Almighty. -- 2 Cor 6:14-18
(caps for emphases)
Brothers and Sisters, we are called to be separate for a reason. Partnering with pseudo-Christians enables them. We need to draw the line and hold fast to it. We serve a HOLY, RIGHTEOUS God. He deserves to be honored diligently. We are not called to be endlessly patient with those who will not leave their sin. Look back at the early church. They put these charlatans out.
For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Yeshua the Christ, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Yeshua.
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out, therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. -- 1 Cor 5:3 - 7
On the surface this deals with fornication, but it would be true of all such sins where the participant is neither ashamed nor honestly attempts to abandon their sin. Habitual liars, adulterers, thieves, those who use God's word to profit themselves -- these all fall into this category, and we should seriously separate ourselves from them.
In our humility, we must not humiliate God. No! That is not what we are called to. No! We are called to glorify Him, and we don't do that by honoring the determined sinful.
So many times folks says, "Oh, be patient. Be long-suffering!" And, surely, we are, but there is a line, Brothers and Sisters. There is a point where we must give them over. When it becomes apparent that they love their sin -- after we have given them the truth -- after we have pled with them to turn -- if they insist on continuing in their wicked ways, we must walk away.
I tell you the truth. In serving God, I see it. I see that line where it becomes not patience, but approval. It is a line we must not cross. If we are called to preach and teach, it is a line we dare not cross. To do so is to dishonor God.
Did you notice that Paul JUDGED the guilty party? Believe it or not, like it or not, that is part of the job. We are to look at those who claim to be His and discern whether they truly are in Christ or not. God gives us that ability and responsibility for a reason -- to protect the flock.
Do not be deceived. Serving God is not about the pretense of being His. No, it is about being so intimately aware of His will that we exercise the authority He has given us in obedience -- not that we enjoy it or do so to lord it over others, but because it is necessary to keep that division clear to honor Him. It is Him we love and are bound to by all that we are, therefore, we will cut away those who prove out their love of the evil one by their actions.
IF you love Me, keep My commandments. -- Joh 14:15
Separate yourselves, therefore, from those who continue in their sin as though God approves. Be separate. Be holy. Be courageous. We are not called to be timid when we stand for Him. No, we are called to stand as though the God we serve is EXACTLY who He says He is.
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