Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION Exodus 33:15 ‑ 16 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. 16For wherein shall it.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION

Exodus 33:15‑16 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.

The subject of “separation” is one of the distinguishing features of Bible Believing Baptists because it is all through the Bible. It is a subject which has to do with the way we live, the way we conduct ourselves as a Church!As we study this basic Bible doctrine, it is important for you to grasp the principle involved as well as the practices outlined.We are living in a world of rapidly declining moral and spiritual standards. This decay is seriously affecting Christians and churches to the point that it is often difficult to tell Christians and non-Christians apart.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONLeviticus 20:7‑8 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.

There are two parts to separationSanctification – set apart fromHoliness – set apart to

Every Christian practices separation.They are either separate from the World or they are separated from God.

Isaiah 59:1‑2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION

You were practically separated unto God Himself when you trusted Jesus as your Saviour

Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

As a Christian you are to live separated unto God1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; (conversation = lifestyle)

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION

Look at Romans 12:1-2Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Holiness – set apart to2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Sanctification – Set apart from

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONOur separation is very important to God

Leviticus 20:22‑27 Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out. America is so disobedient I think she is throwing up.

23 And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. There are some things God doesn’t want you to do.

24 But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people.25 Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean.26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONSeparation is a command

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 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. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONWe live in the world but we are not of this world

John 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

This doesn’t mean we are to live a hermit lifestyle and have nothing to do with people who are not saved.

John 17:14-16 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION1 John 2:16 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.

I John 2:16 defines the world (in it’s bad sense) as:The lust of the fleshThe lust of the eyesThe pride of life

God calls “worldliness” spiritual adulteryJames 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, 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.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION

We are told not to love this world1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 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. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

When the Bible speaks of “the world” in this sense, it does NOT mean the creation of God, His material provisions, etc. It refers to the “world system” which is the dominion of Satan. (II Corinthians 4:4)

1 John 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION

God tells us in the book of James that separation is vital for a true religion or Christianity

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

The basis of all the dietary laws of the Old Testament and the laws of Jewish separation was that we are supposed to be different from the world. (Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 22) God doesn’t want us living like lost people.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONSeparation is not popular in modern day Christianity because it involves us telling ourselves “no” to some things. God gives us rules and standards to protect us not restrict us.True liberty comes from keeping God's commandments.

Ps 119:45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

If you let God’s Word establish standards in your life you will have freedom from sin.Those with no rules have no freedom.They say the college with rules is a prisonBut look at the slavery of the students on the typical university campus. ...... Drugs, Alcohol, Sex,

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONIf you're saved and have the Holy Spirit of God inside you, you want to know God's word.You want to know how to please God.You want to know what God expects and commands.

Ps 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.Ps 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.Ps 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.Ps 119:127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.Ps 119:167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

He didn't say he loved the Bible.He said he loved the Law.He loved the,"Thou shalts....", and the, "Thou shalt nots.......,"

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONSOME AREAS OF PERSONAL SEPARATIONA. The Things I Will Allow My Eyes To See.

Psalm 101:2-3 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. 3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. Job 31:1 I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

This area of personal separation will make a difference in your life in the area of:· Watching Television:If you feel at liberty to own a TV set, the most important control is the “OFF” switch. The garbage that can be brought into your home, the laziness it promotes, and the influence it exerts over young minds requires real wisdom and firm control.· Books & Magazines:Filthy and pornographic publications should never be in the possession of a Christian.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION

SOME AREAS OF PERSONAL SEPARATIONB. The Places I Will Allow Myself To Go.We are taught that the Lord Jesus may come at any moment, and that we should never be ashamed to meet him (I John 2:28). There are many places where Christians ought not go.2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION

SOME AREAS OF PERSONAL SEPARATIONC. The Things I Say

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

NOTE: Every language has a list of curse words. Christians should not use them! Never be heard using the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:9) or God in careless speech.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONSOME AREAS OF PERSONAL SEPARATIOND. The People I Associate With.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother 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.

God’s Word tells us there are Christians we are not supposed to be with

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATION

SOME AREAS OF PERSONAL SEPARATIONE. The Clothes I WearEverybody has dress standards.• Is it right to walk in public nude?• Why?Some cultures hold to women wearing nothing and others hold to a woman being totally covered including a veil.Rather than let cultures determine what is right or wrong why don’t I let God’s Word determine what is right and wrong?

Proverbs 7:10 And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

There is an attire or clothing that pertains to a whore or a harlotThey sell themselves so their merchandise is put in the open.

Understanding BIBLICAL SEPARATIONThere is a connection between sin and nakedness

Exodus 32:22‑25 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.23 For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.24 And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

When people run from the Lord they take off their clothes.There is another episode

Luke 8:27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.

After the demons were cast out:Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

The farther that a person gets away from God the fewer clothes they will be wearing.The longer a person is away from God the more clothes they take off.The more perverted a people get the more clothes they take off.The more perverted a movie the more clothes they take off. The more perverted a magazine the more clothes they take off.The more perverted a, "Entertainment Establishment," the more clothes they take off.Sin and Immodesty go hand in hand.

BIBLICAL SEPARATIONYou need to ask yourself some basic scriptural questions.1. Will it help you be a better Christian?Will it help another Christian?

1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

2. Will it glorify God? Will the decision made make God look good to others?

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

BIBLICAL SEPARATION3. Will it cause me to violate what I know is right and what God has shown me?

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:Romans 14:5 ...Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

4. Is it a worldly fad? Is everybody doing it to be accepted by the, "IN," crowd?

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

BIBLICAL SEPARATION5. Is it worldly? Am I doing it because I love Jesus or the World?

I John 2:15‑17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 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.17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

BIBLICAL SEPARATION6. Could Jesus Christ be a partner in what you are wanting to do? Would the people you are doing it with allow and welcome Jesus in all of their doings?

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Since Jesus is everywhere you go, do you take Jesus anywhere he doesn’t want to go?

BIBLICAL SEPARATION7. Does it grieve the Holy Spirit?

Ephesians 4:29‑32 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

BIBLICAL SEPARATION8. Does it appear to be Evil?

1 Thessalonians 5:21‑22 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

9. Think, What would the best Christian I know do?

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.