This is the last post in this series. I pray that we take these Scriptures to heart and heed the call to be separate with a holy heart.

We have been talking about us separating ourselves from different people who are actively involved in certain lifestyles. The last point is quite different. Instead of us separating ourselves we will find others separating themselves from us.

WE WILL SEE IN THESE LAST DAYS THAT THOSE WHO ARE SINFUL WILL SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM US: Especially the lost religious people.  

Jude 1:17-19 ESV But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. (18) They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." (19) It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

People will HATE US:
People will EXCLUDE US:
People will SEPARATE FROM US:
People will INSULT and DEFAME US:

How are we to react?

Luke 6:22-23 ESV "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! (23) Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

We are to REJOICE:
We are to LEAP FOR JOY:

WHY? Because we are blessed!

CLOSING REMARKS CONCERNING THE DAYS IN WHICH WE LIVE:  

To say that we live in troubling times would be an understatement. We live in a day that a man's word cannot be trusted, therefore we can not longer believe anything coming from the media or our government. People are aggressive, violent, lovers of themselves and lovers of entertainment and self pleasure. However, in the Father we have absolutes because God is unchanging. He will always love us with an everlasting love that is of full measure, (lacking nothing).  

2 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. (2) For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, (3) heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, (4) treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (5) having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (6) For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, (7) always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.

RECAPPING the series of COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM.

In part one I talked about Biblical discipline and how separation does not break unity but establishes Biblical unity. (See Ps.1:1-2; Prov.1:10-16; 13:19-21)
 
In part two we are to  separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. (See 2 Thess.3:5-7; Matt.18:15-17)

In part three we are to separate ourselves from Christians who do not follow the Word of God given to them. (See 2 Thess.3:14-15; Rom.16:17-18)

In part four we are to separate ourselves from Christians who walk in a lifestyle of sin. (See 1 Cor.5:9-12).

In part five we are to separate ourselves from those who walk in the lifestyle of sins (See 1 Tim.6:3-21).

In part six we are to separate ourselves from those who are lost, unsaved, children of wrath, children of the enemy or any other name which the Bible identifies them. (See Jam.4:4)

In part seven we are to separate ourselves from false teachers.(See 2 Jn.1:9-11)

Now here in part nine we see that our Lord says that we are in the world but we are not of the world. We need to separate ourselves from the worldly system and the evil of it.

If you live in the Spirit, walk in it
If you live in the light, walk in it.
In other words dear brother or sister, walk where you live.

In part one I talked about Biblical discipline and how separation does not break unity but establishes Biblical unity. (See Ps.1:1-2; Prov.1:10-16; 13:19-21)

In part two we are to  separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. (See 2 Thess.3:5-7; Matt.18:15-17)

In part three we are to separate ourselves from Christians who do not follow the Word of God given to them. (See 2 Thess.3:14-15; Rom.16:17-18)

In part four we are to separate ourselves from Christians who walk in a lifestyle of sin. (See 1 Cor.5:9-12).

In part five we are to separate ourselves from those who walk in the lifestyle of sins (See 1 Tim.6:3-21).

In part six we are to separate ourselves from those who are lost, unsaved, children of wrath, children of the enemy or any other name which the Bible identifies them. (See Jam.4:4)

In part seven we are to separate ourselves from false teachers.(See 2 Jn.1:9-11)

Now here in part eight we see that our Lord says that we are in the world but we are not of the world. We need to separate ourselves from the worldly system and the evil of it. In salvation we have been freed from the penalty of sin and from the power of sin. However, the power of sin and the presence of sin that will affect us defends on how much of the world we allow within our daily lives and activities. There is an old saying which goes like this: "You cannot play with fire very long without getting burned."

John 17:14-17 ESV I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (15) I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. (16) They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (17) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

Why do I send out this type of Bible study?  The answer is found in one verse of Scripture.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

I have maintained my stand for over 40 years that the two things most needed in the church yet most absent are the fear of God and church discipline. Because of these things missing in the body of Christ the love of God (agape, God's unconditional love), has been corrupted among us to be nothing more than the emotional worldly loves of phileo (conditional love of you be my friend and I will be your friend),  and eros (conditional love of lust and desire). In this we corrupt what Biblical unity really is and how to obtain it. Our Lord Jesus Christ said that the truth of His Word would divide even family members. We don't really want truth in our churches. We say we do, but in reality we want numbers, finances, and some sense of peace (absence of strife).

If you need to refresh, reread or see for the first time these first 6 studies, they are found here on this website under the category of "COME OUT FROM."
 
In part one I talked about Biblical discipline and how separation does not break unity but establishes Biblical unity. (See Ps.1:1-2; Prov.1:10-16; 13:19-21)

In part two we are to  separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. (See 2 Thess.3:5-7; Matt.18:15-17)

In part three we are to separate ourselves from Christians who do not follow the Word of God given to them. (See 2 Thess.3:14-15; Rom.16:17-18)

In part four we are to separate ourselves from Christians who walk in a lifestyle of sin. (See 1 Cor.5:9-12).

In part five we are to separate ourselves from those who walk in the lifestyle of sins (See 1 Tim.6:3-21).

In part six we are to separate ourselves from those who are lost, unsaved, children of wrath, children of the enemy or any other name which the Bible identifies them. (See Jam.4:4)

So the question for the day: How can we walk as a sanctified, called out, holy vessel of God if we continue to fellowship with darkness and that which is an enemy to God and the cross?

Now in part seven we see that we are to separate ourselves from false teachers.

SEPARATE OURSELVES FROM FALSE TEACHERS AND DO NOT ALLOW THEM INTO THE HOME.

I know that we have a zeal to win people to Jesus. However, God gives clear instruction as to where we are to do this. Most of the time when it speaks about soul winning it is out in the highways and byways. Words carry life and death, blessings and cursing. Therefore, we have instructions about not allowing the words of false teachers be released into our homes. I have met Mormons out somewhere to witness to them but I do not allow them into my home. This goes for Jehovah Witnesses or anyone who embraces a false teaching that is against the Gospel message.

2 John 1:9-11 ESV Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. (10) If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, (11) for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.

Romans 16:17-18 ESV I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (18) For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Galatians 1:8-9 ESV But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. (9) As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Why do I send out this type of Bible study?  The answer is found in one verse of Scripture.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

​SEPARATING OURSELVES FROM THE LOST AS NOT HAVING FRIENDSHIP:

In part six we will address those who are lost, unsaved, children of wrath, children of the enemy or any other name which the Bible identifies them. I have had people try to convince me that we are to have lost friends because our Lord Jesus did. However, our Lord Jesus Christ did not have lost friends, He had lost associates whereby He only spent time around in order to preach the Gospel. He did not have lost friends.

Let us be mindful of the fact that the people in the Gospels were under the same condition as those in the Old Testament. This means that people really were not saved like us until our Lord rose from the dead, glorified, and breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples in John 20:22. That was when the believers first had the indwelling of the Person of the Holy Spirit. Up until that time people believed God and it was counted unto them or imputed to them righteousness.

The New Testament makes it clear that we have enemies and we are to love our enemies. What defines an enemy? We typically what to identify an enemy as someone who has harmed or wronged us in someway or is a national enemy to our way of freedom. But how does the Word of God define who our enemies are? Anyone who is an enemy to God, to our Lord Jesus Christ and to the cross is also to be our enemies. Well who are they? We know that Satan and the demons are our enemies. We know that the world and the world system is our enemy and hates us. We also know from Scriptures that lost people are our enemies and our Lord tells us that woe if they speak well of us.

Loving our enemies and doing good to those who hate us does not classify being friends, it is obeying the Word.  You cannot have someone who is classified as an enemy to God, an enemy to Jesus and an enemy to the cross as a friend.

1.  We are to love our enemies:
Luke 6:26-27 ESV "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. (27) "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:34-35 ESV And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. (35) But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Matthew 5:44 ESV But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

2.  We are to recognize who our enemies are:
Matthew 10:35-36 ESV For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. (36) And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

Acts 13:10 ESV and said, "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?

John 15:23 ESV Whoever hates me hates my Father also.

3.  We need to know if we love the world and have friendship with the lost that it makes us an enemy to God:
James 4:4 ESV You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1 Peter 4:3-5 ESV For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (4) With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; (5) but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

4.  We need to know that the lost hate us: Live passionately for God and you will see it manifested.
John 15:19 ESV If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

John 17:14 ESV I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV  Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Why do I send out this type of Bible study?  The answer is found in one verse of Scripture.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

In part one of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I talked about Biblical discipline and how separation does not break unity but establishes Biblical unity. (See Ps.1:1-2; Prov.1:10-16; 13:19-21)

In part two of the "Come Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to  separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. (See 2 Thess.3:5-7; Matt.18:15-17)

In part three of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who do not follow the Word of God given to them. (See 2 Thess.3:14-15; Rom.16:17-18)

In part four of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who walk in a lifestyle of sin. (See 1 Cor.5:9-12).

In part five we will address those who walk in the lifestyle of sins listed in chapter 6 of 1 Timothy. It is unsure from the passage if Paul was warning young Timothy of Christians operating in these sins or if he was warning Timothy of both the saved and lost who walked in these sins. The major thrust of the teaching is those who claimed, disputed, and argued, that religion was suppose to make you rich, and your personal gain of riches was a sign of godliness.  This is a major issue among a large part of the church today in what has become known as the "prosperity doctrine." I know this seems hard but remember the Scripture warning from Paul to the church at Corinth.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV (33) Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

Two of the most "messed up" churches listed in the New Testament were the church at Corinth and the church at Laodicea. Well how do we think they got that way? The Scriptures tell us how this came about. The first is having bad outside influence of sin and corrupt doctrines coming into the church that corrupted the whole flock. The second was when Christians operated in sin and established their own doctrines of man. Having these freely taught within the church and not dealt with according to Biblical discipline and right Biblical doctrine caused a corruption of the people.

The same is happening all across the world today in the church especially in America and Europe. Many believers within the church are living in the sin of man made doctrines that allow them to do what is right in their own eyes. Because they are not being Biblically disciplined this has corrupted the modern church. Add to this the cultural immorality and the love for riches which has been allowed to come in for the sake of numbers, false unity, and false evangelism and the church has begun to look like the world in word, deed, and thought.

4. SEPARATING FROM ANYONE WHO OPERATES IN THE TRAITS OF 1 TIM.6:3-5:  

1 Timothy 6:3-5 ESV If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, (4) he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, (5) and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

1 Timothy 6:9-11 ESV But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. (10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. (11) But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

1 Timothy 6:20-21 ESV O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," (21) for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

The word avoid is 1 Tim.6:20 in the Greek is the word "ektrepo" and means to deflect, turn away from, or to turn aside out of the way.

In part one of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I talked about Biblical discipline and how separation does not break unity but establishes Biblical unity. (See Ps.1:1-2; Prov.1:10-16; 13:19-21)

In part two of the "Come Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. (See 2 Thess.3:5-7; Matt.18:15-17)

In part three of the "Coming Out From Among Them" series I addressed how we are to separate ourselves from Christians who do not follow the Word of God given to them. (See 2 Thess.3:14-15; Rom.16:17-18)

In part four we will address the "Christians" or  who walk in a lifestyle of sin. I know that there is a drive to fill our church buildings on Sunday morning. We fill them with anything and anyone under the spiritual reasoning of outreach. However, the very name of "church" means something more than filling a building.

The word "church" by its best definition is "the called out ones." It is a call to be separate and holy unto the Lord. Evangelism within the Word of God is always displayed as a "ya'll go" command and not a "ya'll come" command. We invite everyone and anyone in our services and then expect God to move in His glory. Don't get me wrong, God honors His Word and the Holy Spirit can still draw people to the heart of the Father in a church service, however God's plan of the holy corporate body coming together cannot be disregarded under the guise of evangelism.

3. SEPARATING FROM A PROFESSING CHRISTIAN BROTHER WHO IS IN SEXUAL SINS, COVETOUS SINS, IDOLATRY SINS, FIGHTERS OR QUARRELERS, DRUNKS, OR EXTORTION, (GREEDY, ESPECIALLY FOR MONEY, AND SOMETIMES WILLING TO USE UNSCRUPULOUS MEANS TO OBTAIN WHAT IS DESIRED. DESTRUCTIVE AND VICIOUS: ENGAGING IN VIOLENT PILLAGING AND LIKELY TO HARM OR DESTROY THINGS):  

I know this list is long and would eliminate many in our Sunday services, however any grievances of this needs to be addressed to the Father because it is written in His Word. I also know that many Pastors do not want to offend people. However, we by practice find ourselves offending God and grieving the Holy Spirit so that we can be in a false unity with sinful believers. The Word says to not even sit down and eat with this Christian brother.

1 Corinthians 5:9-12 ESV (9) I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— (10) not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. (11) But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (12) For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

In part 1 of the Coming Out From Among Them series I talked about Biblical discipline and how separation does not break unity but establishes Biblical unity.

In part 2 I addressed how we are commanded to Come Out From Among Them or separate ourselves from Christians who are unruly, meaning they are morally disorderly. 2 Thess.3:5-7 tells us to keep away from those believers who do these things. Matt.18:15-17 gives of the process we go through before we separate ourselves and declare them as tax collectors or Gentile meaning we are not to have any contact with them.

Here in part 3 of Coming Out From Among Them, I address those Christian brothers who do not follow the Word of God given to them.

2. SEPARATING FROM A CHRISTIAN BROTHER WHO DOES NOT FOLLOW THE WORD:  

This could be applied to an individual or to a corporate group that has placed the traditions of man over the Word of truth or those who just walk in what they deem right in their own eyes and refuse counsel. Again I will stress this is not a love issue. Of course we are to love our Christian brothers. However the same command to love them also says to separate ourselves from them if they are unrepentant. The reason for separation is for our protection and for their reconciliation and not for judgment.

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 ESV (14) If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. (15) Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Romans 16:17-18 ESV I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (18) For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

When we speak about "coming out from among them" we are talking about those whom we are not to have fellowship with. We are "in" the world but we are not "of" the world.

When we are speaking about "fellowship" we are speaking communion or common union. The example was when Paul ordered the church at Corinth to expel the man guilty of sexual sins.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5 ESV (1) It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. (2) And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. (3) For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. (4) When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, (5) you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Kicking him out of the of the church was not unloving. I don't know why we think that any Biblical act of separation is an act representing that we no longer love. We love the man that was expelled and we love the congregation that we saved from his ungodly example. Paul commanded that the church present the man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. That may sound judgmental and unloving but look at the rest of it. Paul wanted his spirit to be saved in the day of the Lord. There is a lot of different doctrines I could get into on this one but I will stay focused on the topic at hand. Paul revealed his love for the man. The goal of separation and the judgment was for the ultimate goal of reconciliation. We find in 2 Corinthians that the man repented and was restored into the fellowship.

So now having said that the main reason for separation from brothers is so that they be reconciled. And that separation does not mean that we stop loving them. I will get to the first group of people we are to separate ourselves from.
 
1. SEPARATING FROM CHRISTIAN BROTHERS WHO ARE UNRULY OR DISORDERLY:

This could be separating from an individual or from a corporate body of believers.

2 Thessalonians 3:5-7 ESV (5) May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (6) Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. (7) For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,

In 2 Thess.3:6 the word "idleness" means morally disorderly. The term "keep away from" in the Greek is to abstain from association. Again this is for protection of the group and the individual from falling into another man's sin. And it is so that the one in sin would have time alone to be convicted of the Holy Spirit and enter reconciliation. Again it is not a love issue. We never stop loving the person in sin. 

So what is the process or action of discipline that leads up to our of separating ourselves from a moral disorderly believer?  

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. (16) But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. (17) If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

To be branded as a Gentile and a tax collector means that you are to have no contact especially religious contact, meaning not having them in a religious service with you. I know it goes without saying but for some I feel the need to point out that these are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Separating from some people as believers is not breaking Biblical unity. We have a false teaching in the church about unity which teaches that we should walk in fellowship with anyone at all times. This is a false unity that can cause us to be tolerant and compromising of sin. The Word of God is clear in that it instructs us there are some whom we are to separate ourselves from. This study is to identify from God's Word who we are to separate ourselves from in order to be the people God has called us to be.

The fruitful Christian who is walking a sanctified (set apart), holy, undefiled daily walk with our Lord has a responsibility to walk a certain way and with certain people.

It doesn't take much reading from the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 to see how the doctrines of men and demons brought about the rebuke of our Lord. I know that it sounds spiritual to say that we are waiting for a “Word from the Lord” in departing from a place or an individual, but we already have the Word of God written in the Scriptures. So while we say we are waiting for a Word or a release, in reality the Father is waiting for our obedience to what He has already said.

Psalms 1:1-2 ESV Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; (2) but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Proverbs 1:10-16 ESV My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. (11) If they say, "Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; (12) like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; (13) we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; (14) throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse"— (15) my son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths, (16) for their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood.

Proverbs 13:19-21 ESV A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but to turn away from evil is an abomination to fools. (20) Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (21) Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.