BE YE SEPARATE
part two
COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM
A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER HAS NOTHING IN COMMON WITH AN UNBELIEVER
In part one we studied the Word of God according to recorded scripture concerning how a born again person is to distance himself from being too closely associated with the unrepentant.
In addition, we are told, regarding born again people that do not obey the Gospel, not to even eat with such people.
Paul talking about the wicked person says, in 1 Corinthians 5:11 “Now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother (note it did not say he was born again, but rather professes to be or is called born again) be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you (note the directness of Gods Word) that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which ye received from us.”
This is God speaking to all that are reborn.
A person is to withdraw from fellowship with all unbelievers and also from all believers that do not obey the Gospel.
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
is talking directly to believers as it says, “If any man obey not our word…note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.”Offer correction to this person, admonish him, and do it in meekness and in the fear of the Lord, the Bible instructs us to do so. Gods word is always perfect and is profitable for correction.
Gods word tells you how to live as a believer. Every act of willful disobedience gives Satan an opening. The Bible warns us to not give place to the devil. He waits, he lurks, he goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Gods Word shows us that a believer is an abomination to an unbeliever, and that an unbeliever is an abomination to a believer.
Hear as Gods Word speaks from Proverbs 29:27 “An unjust man is an abomination to the just.”
If you follow Jesus, a person that lives in sin is an abomination to you.
The verse continues, “And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.”
Even though your unbelieving friends may not admit it directly, the very fact that you are living for Jesus offends them, especially if your light shines brightly. You as a true follower of Christ are an abomination to them.
You may argue that, “No that cannot be true, not to my closest friends!” But you can be assured that it is true.
Two may be the best of friends, or it may be two of the closest brothers or sisters. Whenever one turns to Jesus and the other does not, the one that does not is offended. He cannot understand the light that shines in the other person. The darkness cannot comprehend the light. The light exposes the wicked deeds of the unrepentant heart; and thus the person who will not come to the light, to Jesus, finds that the true believer is an abomination to him.
The best of friends become separated, and close brothers are no longer close. The saved person seeks for his friend or relation to turn to Jesus; while the unsaved person detests the person that follows Jesus.
The unsaved person may attempt to draw the saved person back into sinful ways. It may happen in such a subtle way that the saved person becomes deceived and falls back into sin, into his old ways.
Do you remember the words of Jesus as His mother came to see Him?
Luke 8:20-21
“And it was told Him (Jesus) by certain which said, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And He answered and said unto them, “My mother and my brethren are these which hear the Word of God, and do it.”The importance that Jesus placed on this is so great that it is repeated in Matthews Gospel as well as Marks.
As born again believers, our whole attitude changes. Our whole outlook changes. We no longer live for this world. We love God. We love to serve Him. We love to help people. We love to attend Church and desire the fellowship of others of like mind.
Drugs, drinking alcohol, parties, filthy movies, and defiling our bodies with substances that may even be legal, all become repulsive to us. Illicit sex, lying of any kind, cursing, and so much more we grow to hate; but to the unsaved, and unrepentant person, there is nothing wrong with these actions
. And they will go to great lengths to legitimize their particular chosen sins and the sins of others.As Gods Word has told us, what communion is there between the believer and the unbeliever?
They both have different goals, outlooks, and destinies. One lives only for this world, while the other is looking forward to the next.
One will be with Jesus forever and the other will dwell in the lake of fire forever.
2Corinthians 10:5
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience (note obedience) of Christ.”You are not to choose continual fellowship with the unsaved, with those who exalt themselves against the knowledge of God.
Satan works through people, time and time again, to try to confuse or draw the believer away from his faith in Jesus Christ.
Satan works through people to attempt to draw the believer away from serving Jesus. Satan will use people to embarrass and offend you.
Some will even use scripture incorrectly to draw you away from Gods perfect will.
Satan tried to do the same to Jesus.
He tempted Jesus with Scripture, but when Jesus used the Word back, the devil had to flee.
Study your Bible daily, and obey what it says.
You are to be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only, James 1:22
It is not those who hear the Word that will be justified, but those who obey the Word.
