Paul tells the church in Corinth that since we have been chosen by God, we must come out from among them and be separate for the glory of God. Worshiping the Lord and living lives that bring God glory is the highest purpose of our lives as Christians.
We were chosen by God and belong to God and that should be apparent in all our words and in all our deeds. Remember what it says in 1 Peter 2:9, we should be holy and declare his praises because he has brought us out of darkness and into his marvelous light.
So, if we are supposed to be separate from unbelievers how can we do that and still be in this world? And how do we reconcile that with the Great Commission?
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
Separation vs Isolation
First, it is important to make the distinction that separation and isolation are not the same. We are to live in the world but not be of the world. God isn’t calling us to hide from the world, to build a monastery somewhere and never see anyone. But in a very real and practical way we are to lead separate lives, abstain from the evil in the world, and strictly and devoutly live our lives according to the scripture as one who doesn’t want to become stained by the world.
Let’s look at this practically. Don’t be yoked together with unbelievers! This means you shouldn’t date unbelievers; you shouldn’t have unbelievers in your inner circle, you shouldn’t get counsel or advice from unbelievers.
Paul poses a rhetorical question here: For what does righteousness and wickedness have in common? The answer should be nothing! What harmony is there between Christ and the devil? None! What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? Nothing! And if you do, it says something about your walk with God. Non-believers have no relevant advice for us. How could they? Everything about the life of a believer should be different.
What fellowship can light have with darkness? We cannot fellowship with darkness. That doesn’t mean we are rude or mean or that we do not talk to unbelievers. We should be the friendliest and kindest people around.
Fellowship means to spend time with, to allow into our lives as close friends—the kind of relationships where you advise them and they advise you, a relationship where they speak into your life and impact decisions you make. Your fellowship should be with likeminded Christians who build you up in the faith and who you build up in the faith; fellowship that is full of God’s love and truth, fellowship that holds each other accountable to holiness, righteousness and living a life according to God’s Word.
Friendship and Evangelism
That doesn’t mean we don’t have friendships of any kind with lost loved ones, friends and family, but all relationships with unbelievers should be thought of as evangelistic in nature. You might say; “I love these people so that doesn’t seem fair.” That is one reason you must live a holy and separated life and be evangelistic in interactions with lost people whom you love, because being a witness to you truly walking out your faith is something they need to see. They need to see a life that follows the gospel you preach.
If they are outside of Christ, no matter how “good” they are, and no matter much you love them, without Christ they are going to die and go to hell. They desperately need to see the light of Christ being lived out in your life. Being like them, acting like them, doing worldly things like them doesn’t draw them to a holy God, it merely misrepresents him and pushes them further into darkness.
Ultimately you must live unyoked from the world and separate from unbelievers. This is what a holy God commands of you. If we are in Christ, we are God’s temple and we must not defile God’s temple. We are indwelled by the Spirit of God and while it’s true that our salvation isn’t based on our performance but on what Christ has done, we cannot expect to live in compromise and sin and experience the power and presence of God. God not only forgave us of our sin, but he also now calls us his children, and as his children we must obey him.
Be Holy in All Your Conduct
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (ESV)
Peter doesn’t say you won’t ever have evil desires, he says do not conform to evil desires like you did when you lived in ignorance. When you were in the dark you didn’t know any better, but now that you are in the light of the Lord you are alive and aware of God because your spiritual eyes have been opened to the truth.
One reason we don’t care much about personal holiness and keeping ourselves pure and clean in reverence of a holy God is because there is not much reverence for God in our culture and honestly there’s not much reverence for God in much of the church. Why is this? It’s because we don’t fear the Lord and we don’t fear the Lord because we don’t know the Lord. To truly know the God of the Bible is fear him and to have reverence for him. The salvific promises of God are for the people of God and those who belong to God will live holy lives because of true knowledge of the Lord.
"Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)
What “Therefore” is There For
When reading the Bible, or really when reading anything, when you come across the word “therefore” a great rule of thumb is this: go back before to see what the therefore is there for. That’s kind of a silly way to put it, but it’s true. Paul says “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” What is the “therefore,” there for? To remind us what God said to us in the verses before.
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (ESV)
We should live lives of personal holiness because God says that he will be our God and we will be his people. So because of this wonderful promise we should come out from among the world and be separate.
We live holy lives because we are sons and daughters of God. What an incomparable blessing to be part of the family of God! God says “touch no unclean thing and I will receive you.” Self-denial of things that are sinful, unclean and wicked for the sake of fellowship with God shows that worship of God and fellowship with God is your greatest heart's desire. Personal holiness doesn't earn us anything, it merely exposes what is truly in your heart.
In Christ,
Pastor Joshua
Joshua West is a pastor, evangelist, and author. He is also director of the World Challenge Pastors Network.
