possible. He deserved no kind of death. He who knew no sin be came sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him! Thank God for what Christ did on our behalf. Q. Spokane, Wash. "In II Corinthi ans 6:17 we read, 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate.' Does this mean to be separate from the systems of the world as well as the people of the world?" A. This is exactly what it means, yet not to the point of ineffective exclusivity. Separation in Scripture is twofold. We are to depart from whatever is contrary to the mind of God as well as being separated unto God Himself. The underlying principle is that in a moral universe it is impossible for God fully to bless and use His children when they are in a compromise or com plicity with evil. The reward of separation is the full manifestation of the divine fellowship with the Lord in unhindered communion, worship and fruitful service. As far as the wickedness of the world is concerned we are to be separate in desire, motive and act. Q. Portland, Ore. "/ know of a group of Christians who feel they are the only ones who worship in spirit and in truth based on John 4:23-24. Can you comment on this?" A. It would be best to read the passage, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true wor shipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father Page 11
A. Death is so significant a factor in the history of the human family that every type is defined in Scrip ture. There is physical death, spir itual death, and eternal death. The first is where a person's body is separated from his spirit. This is when he ceases to be alive on a human plane. Spiritual death re fers to an individual who has never by faith received Jesus Christ as Saviour. His spirit has never been made alive through being born again. Eternal death is the result of one who never makes this most important of life's decisions. He is separated forever from Cod in hell. A person can be physically alive and yet be spiritually dead. Again, one can be physically dead but spiritually alive. Spiritual death means to be alienated and abso lutely cut off from the life of Cod. Eternal death is also defined in the Bible as the second death (Revel ation 20:14). It is always eternal separation from God in hell. We know from the Word of Cod, beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus Christ died physically. He suffered spiritual death in that God turned away from Him while He was on the cross. Our finite minds can never be able to fully under stand this. He underwent spiritual death for each of us. Think of the excruciating agony for the Son to be separated from the Father. We know that "the wages of sin is death," but Christ bore that penalty for us. We all are sinners by nature as well as by practice. By Christ's shed blood we are saved. The Bible teaches us that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11). It is His atoning blood by which we are cleansed from all sin. This made our wonderful redemption
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