King's Business - 1956-11

A R e fr e sh in g ly P r a c t i c a l Approach to C h r is tian Separation

The Christian &

by Ray C. Stedman

W hat does Christian separation mean? Your effectiveness as a Christian hangs on your concept of what separation means, and I think almost all of our personal and church problems will be solved if we get a biblical concept of what separation really is. This question of separation has been a bone of con­ tention among Christians for many, many years, and although I believe that the Scriptures are very clear on the matter, still I’m sure that we’re not going to solve all the contention in this article. But we do want to look at it very plainly. It’s interesting that you don’t read very far in the New Testament without becoming aware of some very pointed warnings to Christians concerning their dan­ ger from the world around them. Second Corinthians 6:14 is a very well-known pas­ sage: “ Be not unequally yoked together with unbe­ lievers. . . .” And then it goes on, but “ . . . come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the

Lord . . . and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” These words, “ come out from among them, and be ye separate” have been nailed to the masthead of many denominations and church groups as the one idea that Christians need to heed in these days. Then we have that very strong passage in 1 John 2:15-17, “ Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world . . . For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” Then James comes out with probably the strongest word along this line and says very flatly and very plainly, “ . . . know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” Now that’s very plain language, and as we read

CO N T IN U E D

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NOVEMBER 1956

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