The Apostle Paul issues a challenging call when he tells us to "come out" and to "be separate", just as GOD Almighty did through HIS Prophet Isaiah. And this is a verse that is often used to segregate many from their own families & social circles, when it is not meant to.
In 2 Corinthians 6:17, when Paul says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.", he is quoting from Isaiah 52:11 ~ Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord..
These are GOD'S plain instructions to HIS People concerning separation from evil. Christians are not to stay in the midst of it, as part of it, taking part of it. Our "call" is to come out of the wickedness and ignorance that held us in bondage.
The unclean thing in this verse is primarily the heathen world, but it also applies to any form of evil, whether commercial, social or religious. It is often very hard for Christians to sever ties that have existed for years in order to be obedient to the Word of GOD.
And it seems that GOD had anticipated such a difficulty in 2 Corinthians 6:18, because in verse 17 HE says “I will receive you,” and then HE adds, “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Now verse 18 speaks multitudes to me. Let me explain why....
While I was in the midst of the evil, in & of this world, a lot of my issues began before I was even born when my father took his own life. Every boy needs a father. Every girl needs a mother. Of course, children need both a mother and a father, but the point is that by mine not being in my life there was a void there.
But GOD..... oh them two words.... But GOD!! HE said that HE will be a FATHER to me and that I shall be HIS son! Oh Happy Day! When I realized that I had a Father and that HE Loved me more than any earthly father or man ever could, it was life changing! Literally.
Thank YOU, FATHER, for becoming the driving force in, with & through my life. Thank YOU!
The compensation for standing with The CHRIST outside the camp of evil is to know Fellowship with The FATHER in a new and intimate way.
Paul is not saying that Believers should have no contact at all with unbelievers, because then Christians would have to leave this world and then how are we to be salt & light to the world? What Paul is saying, is that believers are not to participate in the strongholds, vices, addictions, ways and sins of the unbelievers, to not be "of this world" just because we are in it.
Please do not allow anyone to keep you from being a positive Light in the lives of others who truly are in need of Life, and Life more abundantly. Amen.
In 2 Corinthians 6:17, when Paul says, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.", he is quoting from Isaiah 52:11 ~ Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord..
These are GOD'S plain instructions to HIS People concerning separation from evil. Christians are not to stay in the midst of it, as part of it, taking part of it. Our "call" is to come out of the wickedness and ignorance that held us in bondage.
The unclean thing in this verse is primarily the heathen world, but it also applies to any form of evil, whether commercial, social or religious. It is often very hard for Christians to sever ties that have existed for years in order to be obedient to the Word of GOD.
And it seems that GOD had anticipated such a difficulty in 2 Corinthians 6:18, because in verse 17 HE says “I will receive you,” and then HE adds, “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Now verse 18 speaks multitudes to me. Let me explain why....
While I was in the midst of the evil, in & of this world, a lot of my issues began before I was even born when my father took his own life. Every boy needs a father. Every girl needs a mother. Of course, children need both a mother and a father, but the point is that by mine not being in my life there was a void there.
But GOD..... oh them two words.... But GOD!! HE said that HE will be a FATHER to me and that I shall be HIS son! Oh Happy Day! When I realized that I had a Father and that HE Loved me more than any earthly father or man ever could, it was life changing! Literally.
Thank YOU, FATHER, for becoming the driving force in, with & through my life. Thank YOU!
The compensation for standing with The CHRIST outside the camp of evil is to know Fellowship with The FATHER in a new and intimate way.
Paul is not saying that Believers should have no contact at all with unbelievers, because then Christians would have to leave this world and then how are we to be salt & light to the world? What Paul is saying, is that believers are not to participate in the strongholds, vices, addictions, ways and sins of the unbelievers, to not be "of this world" just because we are in it.
Please do not allow anyone to keep you from being a positive Light in the lives of others who truly are in need of Life, and Life more abundantly. Amen.
