Paul issues a challenging call to "come out", and to "be separate", just as The LORD did through HIS Prophet Isaiah. And this is a verse that is often used to segregate many from their own families and social circle, when it is not meant to.
In 2Corinthians 6:17, where Paul says, "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.", 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. GOD'S Call is to come out.
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 2Corinthians 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 and of this world, I was seeking for that "fatherly" attention/love/contact, in which I only found myself being used/abused/molested.
But GOD..... oh there's them two words again.... But GOD!! HE says 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 man ever could, it was life changing! Literally!!!!
Thank YOU GOD, for becoming the driving force in and through my life. Thank YOU for being my Father! My LORD! My GOD!!
The compensation for standing with CHRIST outside the camp of evil is to know Fellowship with The FATHER in a new and more 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 and light to the world? What Paul is saying, is that believers are not to participate in the sinful lifestyles 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 2Corinthians 6:17, where Paul says, "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.", 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. GOD'S Call is to come out.
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 2Corinthians 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 and of this world, I was seeking for that "fatherly" attention/love/contact, in which I only found myself being used/abused/molested.
But GOD..... oh there's them two words again.... But GOD!! HE says 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 man ever could, it was life changing! Literally!!!!
Thank YOU GOD, for becoming the driving force in and through my life. Thank YOU for being my Father! My LORD! My GOD!!
The compensation for standing with CHRIST outside the camp of evil is to know Fellowship with The FATHER in a new and more 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 and light to the world? What Paul is saying, is that believers are not to participate in the sinful lifestyles 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.