Separation
1 Corinthians
6:14-18
There is so much fast-growing Kudzu in the Southeastern United States that you may think it was a native plant. It covers approximately seven million acres of land and people are working hard to be rid of it! It was brought to the States to be used for ornamental purposes and later to help with erosion. Our problem is that it grows too well, sometimes a foot a day in the summer. It climbs over trees, power poles, and anything else with which it comes in contact. Although it can help with erosion it also destroys valuable forests by preventing sunlight to reach the trees.
As we grow and mature in our Christian lives there are continual attractions and allurements, some of which are subtle, that call us from our vital, intimate relationship with Jesus. The believer must be on guard to keep himself pure and undefiled or there will be serious consequences that await him. In the above text we learn five truths that spell out practical implications.There must be no fellowship with unholy practices. (verse 14)
A Christian has no business involving himself with unscriptural practices which he knows are unpleasing to his Lord. Unholy practices include things such as speeding in traffic, income tax evasion, gossip, shady business deals, etc. These opportunities are offered daily at home, church, work, and school. We must set a standard that sets us high above our peers or later we will find ourselves involved in unholy practices that we never thought possible leading others astray. Does the Holy Spirit reveal anything to you concerning unholy practices?There must be no fellowship with unholy pleasures.
"What communion has light with darkness? (verse 14)." If our pleasures cannot be enjoyed in the light of God's Word, with His approval, then it is unclean and we must avoid it. In a recent book I read, The Sacred Romance, the author says that we run to addictions when our intimacy with God is not what it should be. Are there unholy pleasures that are hindering your spiritual walk?There must be no fellowship with unholy prophets.
"What accord has Christ with Belial? (v 15)" While the name Belial here refers to Satan it also describes false prophets. As believers we must be careful not to subject ourselves to men who preach things that are contrary to the Word of God. We must be aware that in these last days there will be men who are more interested in money and drawing a crowd than seeking the Lord and preaching the uncompromising truth in the Word. Are you 'under the Word' or in a social club?There must be no fellowship with unholy people.
"What part has a believer with an unbeliever. (V 15)" While we are to be in the world (salt and light), we are not to be of the world subscribing to their philosophies and practices of infidelity. This involves being unequally yoked in business, future mates, or apostate affiliations.There must be no fellowship with unholy places.
"What agreement has the temple of God with idols? (v16)" An idol is a substitute for God. Anything which takes the place that God should have in our lives must exhumed from our lives. I am reminded of the words in the children's song which says, "O be careful little feet where you go for the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little feet where you go.
Kudzu was brought to America innocently and with good intentions. No one ever dreamed it would become the problem and the eyesore that it is today. Now what does this discussion of Kudzu have to do with separation? Small, innocent things can come into our lives and eventually overshadow our relationship with God. We must be careful of introducing seemingly harmless things into our lives that have the potential of interfering with our intimate relationship with Christ causing serious consequences. The consequences involve areas such as: shipwrecked faith, ruined churches, families broken apart, useless testimonies causing us to no longer be salt and light to the world that is watching us. Separation is a Biblical word, and sometimes we are so intent on making those who don't know our Savior feel comfortable that we fail to take a stand and come out from among them.
