Post by Jerry on Dec 24, 2008 16:55:32 GMT 12.75
SEPARATION
I have been reading this post and waiting on Bro. Freddie. However, since I have some opinions on this subject, I thought I would share them here.
The Bible teaches separation.
In Old Testament times, The Lord had repeatedly instructed his people to separate themselves from entire nations who were guilty of all types of sin. In fact, as recorded in Ezra Chapters 9 and 10, the nation of Israel got into trouble with God because they had intermingled with the heathen people living around them. In Abraham’s time, the Lord made a visit to Sodom and Gomorrah. He told Lot to leave Sodom and then the Lord destroyed both Sodom and Gomorrah. Does anyone not know the sin that was prevalent in Sodom?
In the New Testament, this same concept is repeated. Note the following:
2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
So, we are to live in this world, but we are not of this world. When the Bible instructs us to love our neighbor as well as enemies, we need to remember the context. The first teaching from the Lord in this subject is in Matthew Chapter 5. What is the context? It is to teach us how to live in such a manner that we would be a witness of the glory of God. Now, why would the Lord teach this? So that we might win some to Him. We cannot win them if they will not listen. And they will not listen if we don’t live right.
Now, how does this tie to the question posed on this site? Let me see if I can get across where I am coming from.
When someone tries to apply the teachings about loving our neighbors and enemies to social association (fellowship), in my opinion, it is absolutely wrong. The Bible tells us to go out and compel them to come in, but it does not tell us to have fellowship with them, in the sense of Christian fellowship.
Please don’t misunderstand this, but I am very protective of my family and my home. I don’t bring people into my home that I do not know. In my calling, I come into contact with all types of people. Some are drug addicts, alcoholics, pedophiles, etc. Folks, I will not expose my family to these people. Will I witness to them? YES. Will I invite them to church? BY ALL MEANS. However, unless the Lord specifically lays it on my heart to bring them to my home, I do not do it.
Let me give some examples that I have personally witnessed.
I knew of a couple who were very compassionate and tender-hearted. They ran across a homeless man who they did not know, but who seemed to be a fine person. The brought him home. To this day, I don’t know how it happened, but, this man molested both of the small girls in that family. These folks meant well, but exposed their family to danger that was absolutely unnecessary.
I knew of a family who had a pedophile who had molested 4 generations of young girls in that family. Why he had not been prosecuted, is still puzzling to me. However, since I knew this man very well, I had the opportunity one time and told him that if I ever heard of him molesting anyone again, if no one else would, I would press charges against him.
I knew of another family who brought home a homeless man who they felt compassion for. Someone he got hold of some alcohol, drank heavily and hit on the man’s wife. When the man took exception, he beat him pretty badly. The wife was able to escape to a neighbor and the law was called to get rid of the man.
I will stop here with the illustrations, but, I think you get the idea.
In closing, I just wanted to say that we need to be very careful about who we bring into our homes. It is one thing to love and have compassion for souls and to reach out to those in need. But, it is something entirely different to invite them into our homes.
Thanks. Jerry
I have been reading this post and waiting on Bro. Freddie. However, since I have some opinions on this subject, I thought I would share them here.
The Bible teaches separation.
In Old Testament times, The Lord had repeatedly instructed his people to separate themselves from entire nations who were guilty of all types of sin. In fact, as recorded in Ezra Chapters 9 and 10, the nation of Israel got into trouble with God because they had intermingled with the heathen people living around them. In Abraham’s time, the Lord made a visit to Sodom and Gomorrah. He told Lot to leave Sodom and then the Lord destroyed both Sodom and Gomorrah. Does anyone not know the sin that was prevalent in Sodom?
In the New Testament, this same concept is repeated. Note the following:
2 Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
So, we are to live in this world, but we are not of this world. When the Bible instructs us to love our neighbor as well as enemies, we need to remember the context. The first teaching from the Lord in this subject is in Matthew Chapter 5. What is the context? It is to teach us how to live in such a manner that we would be a witness of the glory of God. Now, why would the Lord teach this? So that we might win some to Him. We cannot win them if they will not listen. And they will not listen if we don’t live right.
Now, how does this tie to the question posed on this site? Let me see if I can get across where I am coming from.
When someone tries to apply the teachings about loving our neighbors and enemies to social association (fellowship), in my opinion, it is absolutely wrong. The Bible tells us to go out and compel them to come in, but it does not tell us to have fellowship with them, in the sense of Christian fellowship.
Please don’t misunderstand this, but I am very protective of my family and my home. I don’t bring people into my home that I do not know. In my calling, I come into contact with all types of people. Some are drug addicts, alcoholics, pedophiles, etc. Folks, I will not expose my family to these people. Will I witness to them? YES. Will I invite them to church? BY ALL MEANS. However, unless the Lord specifically lays it on my heart to bring them to my home, I do not do it.
Let me give some examples that I have personally witnessed.
I knew of a couple who were very compassionate and tender-hearted. They ran across a homeless man who they did not know, but who seemed to be a fine person. The brought him home. To this day, I don’t know how it happened, but, this man molested both of the small girls in that family. These folks meant well, but exposed their family to danger that was absolutely unnecessary.
I knew of a family who had a pedophile who had molested 4 generations of young girls in that family. Why he had not been prosecuted, is still puzzling to me. However, since I knew this man very well, I had the opportunity one time and told him that if I ever heard of him molesting anyone again, if no one else would, I would press charges against him.
I knew of another family who brought home a homeless man who they felt compassion for. Someone he got hold of some alcohol, drank heavily and hit on the man’s wife. When the man took exception, he beat him pretty badly. The wife was able to escape to a neighbor and the law was called to get rid of the man.
I will stop here with the illustrations, but, I think you get the idea.
In closing, I just wanted to say that we need to be very careful about who we bring into our homes. It is one thing to love and have compassion for souls and to reach out to those in need. But, it is something entirely different to invite them into our homes.
Thanks. Jerry