If you want to know what the cost of being “separate” looks like, look at what Israel is going through right now. When you separate yourself from others you are different, and you become the target of anger and hatred. Even though much of modern-day Israel is inclusive and diverse, they still have many citizens who follow the Law of Moses and separate themselves from non-Jewish people. That separation has made Jews the target of anger and hatred throughout history. The “thief” (John 10:10) is using that anger and hatred to sway world opinion against Israel as they are trying to end the terrorist threat from Hamas.
Why should I be separate and endure all this hatred? Because GOD said, “come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Cor 6:17 KJV). You are not like the world, you have been made perfect! Perfect? You don’t know how far I’ve missed that standard! You can’t do it alone, but “he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor 5:21 KJV). In JESUS you are perfect!
What cost? I thought salvation is supposed to be free! It is “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8 KJV). JESUS said “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” (John 15:19 KJV). “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 KJV).
What am I supposed to do after all this separation? “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 KJV). So, after separating, I’m supposed to go back into the world? Yes, That’s part of loving GOD “with all” and “thy neighbour as thyself” (Mat 22:37 and 39 KJV).
Wayne Lance – That’s Good News to Share!