Separation

by JOHN MCCORMICK | Category: General | Apr 1944

The subject of separation is one - of great importance. In a day when there is widespread movement for amalgamation of societies, businesses, nations, religious bodies and so forth, it behoves those in the house of God to be on e watch tower with the word of God to guide their spiritual outlook and actions.

It has pleased God in the riches of His grace to reach men with the gospel. and set them apart in His purposes for His own glory.. Being saved their relationship to the world has become completely changed, for it is written of them, "Ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord" (Ephesians 5. 8): and "who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light" (1 Peter 2.9). This being so there is the injunction to "walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5. 8). The Lord Jesus, referring to this changed condition said, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17.14, 16), 50 it is the responsibility of each and all to seek to learn from the Scriptures the mind of God relative to their relationships to their fellow-men. These scriptures are wide in their application, for it will be found that they refer to every walk of life, not only to believers as individuals, but also to collective testimony in the house of God. It is well to beware of extremes, for some, having failed to grasp the real purposes. of God' in separation, have shut themselves off from men, denying themselves the liberty of mingling with their fellows. That such was never intended is clear from 1 Corinthians 5.9, 10, "I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators ; not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world." To go out of the world was not the Lord's will, for lie prayed, "I pray not that Thou shouldest take them from the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil" (John 17.15 A.V.). It is this great fact of the evil in the world that calls for our separation.

It is hardly needful to say -that separation calls for real exercise of heart on the part of the believer. To carry it out may call for much waiting upon God. It may involve hardship and difficulties in this life, but the promise of the Saviour compensates for all losses here, and points to the gain in eternity (2 Corinthians 4.16, 17).

Even in the law God legislated for men and women voluntarily to separate - themselves unto God. Hence the vow of the Nazirite in Numbers 6., and it was a solemn matter indeed when those whose hearts were full of love to God sought thus to separate themselves unto Him. Their separation, while it was of an individual character affected first themselves, then their family relationships. They were to eat or drink nothing that came from the vine, and this would suggest separation from the pleasures of this world. They were not to come in contact with any dead body, suggesting separation from 3 - those dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2-. 1). They were not to make themselves unclean for any near relative, which brings before us family relationship. It can clearly be seen from this that the path is a narrow one, and he who to-day would separate himself unto the Lord, would do well to sit down and count the cost.

Let us try to apply the above to our present responsibility. Firstly, we have the pleasures of this world. Of Moses it is written that he chose "rather to be evil entreated with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season "(Hebrews 11. 25). The call If us is, "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). What can the world offer to satisfy the child of God? nothing, absolutely nothing! If we take its round of pleasures - cinemas, sports, dancing, or anything else, they fill the heart for a brief moment, they cause forgetfulness of God, and they leave us unsatisfied and discontented. Though the world has much to offer it is all vanity and a striving after wind "Let us then set our mind on the thin that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God, for in His presence is fulness of joy in His right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16. 11)

Now we think of contact with those who are dead in trespasses and sins. This touches companionship. We should not try to reason, "I see no wrong in this one or that one," but rather bow our wills to God's in the light of what He says. Those who have been called out of darkness into light are exhorted to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them" (Ephesians 5.11), for "what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6.14). In the beginning God divided the light from the 4srkness, and it is His will that those who " were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord should be separated from those who are still in darkness. This does not mean that we cannot speak to them or that we cannot work with them, but it does indicate that our fellowship, our companionship should not be with them. This may indeed seem a hardship. It may even mean a path of loneliness, but if our heart is right with God it will have its compensating joys. For in doing the will of God, He always makes up for our seeming losses. Where there is companionship with the world, there is sure to be spiritual loss. How often have young children of God in particular thought they could lift the unsaved to their level, or perhaps by their companionship reach them with the gospel, only to find themselves ensnared in the ways of the world and to become spiritual shipwrecks! True, some have been saved, but in most cases the effect is otherwise. God does not save people for our convenience. In the grievous times of the last days we are told that "men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money ... no lovers of good ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God," (2 Timothy 3.4, 5), and from these those who would please God are to turn away. The Psalmist could rejoice in saying,

"I am a companion of all them that fear Thee,

And of them that observe Thy precepts"

(Psalm 119.68).

In Malachi 3. 10 we read, "Then they that feared the LORD spake one with another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard." Let us seek the companionship of those who are of like mind so that we may speak of the things of God which are dear to our hearts, and to which He can listen with approval. But one may say, "There is none of my age with whom I can be a companion." This is often the case, and it calls for a fixed purpose of heart and a seeking unto God at all times, that He would make up-in spiritual blessings what is missed in companionship. We commend such to God and the word of His grace, knowing that He will not leave them desolate.

Family relationships are the closest of ties, yet this matter of separation affects even these, for we must bear in mind that natural relationships are only for time, while our relationship to God is for eternity. We have every encouragement in the Scriptures to honour and obey our parents in the Lord, and to young children of God this truth cannot be pressed home too strongly. Nevertheless we must take notice of the qualifying words, "in the Lord." We do not suggest for a moment that if the child is bidden to do some act contrary to the teaching of the Lord, he or she is in bondage in such cases, but we do believe that where there is no violation of God's will unqualified obedience is enjoined. In our family life we must ever be careful that the Lord is not given the second place, and this is where a grave danger lies. Think of the man of Luke 9.59, who said, "Suffer me first to go and bury my father." It was not wrong to bury his father, but it was wrong to give the matter first place after the Lord had said, "Follow me." Hence-the words, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom -of God." Similarly, the man of verse 61 said, " I will follow Thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house." This brought forth the solemn words from the Lord, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Even unsaved relatives must not be permitted to draw us away from the path of separation if we are to be to God's glory. If our stand for the truth involves us in difficulties the Lord has promised, "There is no man that hath left house, or wife, or brethren, or parents, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this time, and in the world to come eternal life" (Luke 18.29, 30).

We now come to the matter of courtship and marriage. Marriage divine institution, and being so is a very solemn thing. Unhappy indeed are those who, without due consideration, enter into a contract to marry contrary to the word and will of God. As to courtship what has been said previously of companionship touches this matter' as well. A casual friendship may lead to association that is well nigh impossible to undo. How much easier in the first place to have taken the word of God as the guide! In connection with marriage there is a qualifying word which is of prime importance. In 1 Corinthians 7. 39 we read, "She is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord." There is a great difference between the terms, "in Christ" and "in the Lord." . " In Christ" is a term which includes all who are saved and are members of Christ. This is a blessed fact which will be true for all eternity. "In the Lord" describes those believers who have acknowledged the Lordship of Christ, who have bowed their will to His, and are found doing His commandments. Hence the word to marry "only in the Lord" instructs us that we are only to marry those who are acknowledging Him as their Master and Lord. There is no instruction given in Scripture to marry "in Christ." Thus for one in the house of God to marry one outside would be a denial of the claims of the Lord in this matter. It may be thought that this is a narrow path; but it is no narrower than that which is the Lord's will. It can readily be seen that where to are joined together who are not of one mind in the Lord, there must be some compromise to secure the smooth running of the home, and God allows no compromise in His things. If any who read these remarks are transgressing in this matter, we would earnestly beseech them to consider their position before it be too late, and though the way may seem hard, let them remember that God has said, "Them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed" (1 Samuel 2.30).

There are organisations such as youth movements of all kinds whether social or military, from which it is essential for the child of God to be apart, but we do not stay to speak of these. Let us, how-ever, see to separating ourselves unto the Lord so that we may be found among those who with exercised hearts seek in our day to glorify God in our body (1 Corinthians 6.20).

JOHN MCCORMICK | Apr 1944
General