BIBLICAL
One of the most misunderstood concepts in all of God's Word is that of "biblical separation".
Most people today have a very poor understanding of what it is and rarely is it ever practiced correctly. The bible has much to say on this to His set apart body, the true New Testament ekklesia
click HERE to read that.
What type of separation is there?
There are many areas one could discuss here but we would like to cover these:
*separation from the carnal world around us
*separation from unsaved family/friends if they cause you sin
*separation from other people of claimed faith for various reasons. (sin, disobedience or false doctrine).
If you study the bible you will see that God calls His true redeemed people out of the ways of this fallen world and to a separated holy (set apart) life for Him alone. Most modern religious places today will not teach you these doctrines / verses as it will empty the pews quickly. Often their goal is to fill them with seekers who want to meet their needs, not follow God in obedience and holiness.
Here are two such scriptures that state very well how His born again people are to live:
"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". Romans 12:2
"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". 1 John 2:15
If you claim Christ you are called to "not" live like or be "of this world" but live in a manner that keeps you from its sin and rebellion against God. This includes things like entertainment, movies, pro sports, fashion, secular music, gossip, popular worldly trends, unbiblical clothing etc. You are to separate yourself for God (to be holy) reaching into it to preach the gospel, but NOT defiling yourself by it in anyway that you live or travel through it. (CLICK HERE to test your faith.)
Next... we see that separation from even family and friends, once your following Jesus, is in fact God honoring. There can be many situation where you need to leave family to follow Christ and clearly the bible teaches on it. Many struggle with this but Jesus did say unless you're ready to lose your life you can't have Him. (Matthew 16) So losing others in your life (who would work to draw you away from an obedient life in Him) would be required of you. Christ also told us He came to divide families and this verse cannot be more clear, can it?
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ (Mathew 10:34-36)
So are you willing to lose family and friends for the gospel of Christ and your walk? Are you willing to separate from whatever it is; all for God's glory? The more you stay in the Word and the closer you walk to Him, the easier this all becomes. (Note: we know as we have lost most "all" of our family and friends for His cause yet; we have joy standing strong in His Word!)
Moving on to the separation that involves others faith practices which would be separation over sin, false doctrine and obedience. Here is where you will get the most confusing unbiblical responses so beware. Don't follow man but follow God alone as His word has the answers for you. (Test us always as well.)
If you listen to most people in the modern denominational system of man's religion; they believe that all different religious bodies can unite if only they agree on a small set of essential doctrines of the faith. Many ministries teach that that we don't need to agree on the non essential things of the faith. They believe and buy into the man-made creeds that serve to unite bodies with just the basics of faith in Christ. These systems of man seemingly do not practice biblical separation from the carnal world or hold to the true New Testament ways yet they cling to mans false religious system. By doing this they are practicing man-made religion, they are watered down and so they will not separate themselves or others as the bible clearly calls His true people to do. Don't be fooled folks as this is a false doctrine to be exposed then ignored completely.
Where does this come from you may ask? Well it is not from God's Word at all but from fallen man. The early church fathers came up with a list of orthodox beliefs that would act to unite believers under its very unbiblical umbrella. Then later the false reformers (Luther / Calvin/ Zwingli ) also worked to further enforce man made codes that ignored what God's Word says, in detail. This is very dangerous indeed. They would have you believe you can only biblically separate from people or organizations if they have heresy / deny things like the Trinity, God's Word as inspired truth, the virgin birth and Jesus is the only way. We believe this is done so they can have partnerships with more and more people to grow their own unbiblical ministries and SELL more of the gospel for gain these days. We will wait for them to show us in God's Word this list of "essentials" we are to cling to? This article proves this essentials is a false doctrine:
http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2016/09/in-essentials-unity-in-non-essentials.html
It won't come as no where in God's word will you find their brand of "limited beliefs" for unity. Sadly they ignore the many verses that speak on all kinds of separation for the person who is following Christ's Word in full detail.
Let's look at some of these verses (that they ignore) that clearly say to separate for reasons of sin or false doctrine. Note: The Greek root word for doctrine is didache or didasko...and it means to instruction so it means teachings.
"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them". Romans 16:17
"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 3:6
"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". 2 Thessalonians 3:14
"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself". 1 Timothy 6:3-5
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 idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. 1 Corinthians 5:11-13
How about this verse where Paul calls two men "false teachers" over what??? Bad end time theology. They were teaching the resurrection had happened already. So much for those who say we can't separate over bad eschatology (end time beliefs).
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" 2 Timothy 2:16-19
Here is a verse that covers the modern false denominational system that is practicing many lies (unbiblical ways of man) in their 'worship' and special buildings. Does God separate from them in their lies outside of His Holy City gates (heaven)?
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. Revelation 22:14-15
Or how about what Jesus said here about man's vain worship? Does it sound like he separates and rejects that type or false worship?
"This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition". Mark 7:6-9
Also go read Matt 18 and Titus 3
Jesus says TOSS a sinful brother out of the body and Paul says warn a heretic then AVOID them.
Here is a article on what a heretic is. A heretic is simply one who keeps any false ways:
http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2017/12/what-is-heretic-or-heresy.html
These are but a few out of the many verses that clearly instruct God's true people to separate from those who are disobedient, out of sound doctrine and living unholy. They also show the results of unbiblical actions are separation. So as you can see the bible is very clear on the practice of separation and NOT just for the "essentials" as some so wrongly teach today. Why are we to do this? Paul tells us that a little sin affects everyone in the body and it cannot be tolerated.
See Galatians 5:9 "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump".
We hope this was a help to you on why and when it is correct to biblically separate from others even family if they claim Christ and hold to false doctrine.
God's Word is full of examples of His true people (Noah, Abraham, the Israelites, the Apostles and the early NT church) who were called out and separated from those around them and from the carnal world that waits His wrath to come.
Finally we see in Acts 2 just what the new converts to Christ were all about.
"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers". Acts 2:42
Are you following all of the doctrines as God's Word so wonderfully lays out for us as a guide? Or do you follow your own ways, your families or mans religious traditions that are vain and bring God's wrath?
Here is why we separate:
https://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2020/09/separation-why-we-do-it.html
Here is another article on separation:
http://spiritandtruthdiscernment.blogspot.com/2014/11/division-from-family-and-other-believers.html
Will you be one of them to face His wrath or will you be one of the remnant He paid for at the cross of Calvary and obey all of His commands?
If you choose to stay close to sinful unbiblical / sinful family that claims Jesus, you are involved in idolatry. Yes you are making them more important then obeying God's clear commands.
DO NOT TEMPT the Lord thy God!
Rememer,
Jesus said you must be born again John 3:3 / see the gospel below.
Repent and believe the gospel with holiness and obedience as your fruit of a true faith to salvation! Click HERE to learn the gospel good news and how to gain eternal life.
Let us know how we can help you.
www.dontperish.com
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