Simple Studies in Christian Essentials

 

                           Lesson 9

 

                     Christian Separation

 

   Introduction: "Separation" as used in this lesson

refers to the relationship and attitude of a Christian

toward things that are worldly and sinful, and toward

false doctrine.

 

I. Separation in the Law of Life.

 

    A. Natural and physical life:

 

        1. Vegetable and animal, - study Gen 1.

 

        2. Human, - Gen 2:7.

 

        3. Death is a reversal of this order, -

           Gen 3:19.

 

    B. Spiritual life:

 

        1. The Lord to become our Saviour had to

           obey this law, - Phil 2:5-8; Heb 7:26.

 

        2. The sinner is separated in becoming a

           Christian, - study note in Scofield

           Bible on 2 Cor 6:17.

 

II. Separation is a Command of God for His people.

 

     A. Israel, - Lev 20:24-26.

        Illustration: Animals they could or could

                      not eat, - Lev 11:2-47.

                      (Chewing the "cud" speaks of

                      meditation upon the Word of

                      God; "splitting the hoof"

                      of separation. Note that they

                      ate only the ones that both

                      split the hoof and chewed the cud.

 

     B. The Church, - 2 Cor 6:14 - 7:1.

 

         1. From this world, - Jn 15:18-21; Jn 17:11-17;

            ( In this later portion the word "sanctify"

            means to "separate." See Scofield Bible,

            note 2, on Rev 22:11) Matt 16:24-26; James 4:4;

            1 Jn 2:15-17.

 

         2. From all sinful associations and practices,

            - Eph 5:1-11.

 

         3. From false teachers, - 2 Jn 7-11.

 

III. Separation is a Blessed Privilege.

 

      A. It is the privilege of the Saved, - Col 3:1-4.

 

      B. It is the privilege of the Child of God, -

         2 Cor 7:1; 1 Pet 1:13-21.

 

      C. It is the privilege of the Witnesses of

         Christ, - Lk 24:48; Eph 1:5,6,12; 2 Thess 3:9.

 

   Conclusion: The Bible clearly teaches an uncompromising

stand against indulgence in the things of the world that would hinder the testamony of the Believer. Worldly

attitudes and desires are sometimes still tolerated by

those otherwise separated to God. It also teaches

separation from all forms of "Modernism" in doctrine and

any denial of the "faith" once delivered to the Saints.

Because of this plain teaching of the Scriptures Christians

should have "no fellowship" with individuals or churches

which tolerate or condone these evils.

 

 

                             Questions

 

   1. Define "separation". See introduction.

 

   2. What is the law of natural life? Show from

      the Bible.

 

   3. How did our Lord obey this law?

 

   4. How is separation two-fold? See Scofield

      note.

 

   5. Give an illustration of God's regulation for

      Israel that teaches separation.

 

   6. Study carefully 2 Cor 6:14 - 7:1.

 

   7. Name three things from which the Christian

      must separate.

 

   8. Give the substance of 2 Jn 7-11.

 

   9. Cite four reasons why it is a privilege for

      the Christian to live a separated life.

 

  10. Do you approve of the Church's stand in the

      matter of separation?

 

  11. Are you willing with the help of God to

      live a separated life yourself?

 

  12. If the occasion ever arises will you oppose

      by vote and otherwise any effort to weaken

      the Church's stand on separation?