Today’s Text: Deuteronomy 7:6-14
In Scripture, separation is not isolation; for if believers are isolated, how can they be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:13-16) and influence others for the Lord? Believers can be separated from sin and to the Lord and still be involved in the normal challenges and activities of human life.
Abraham was allied with some of his neighbors in Canaan and together they defeated the invaders and rescued the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 14); yet Abraham never lived or worshiped as his neighbors did. Jesus was the "friend of publicans and sinners" (Matt. 11:19), and yet He was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb. 7:26). Jesus had contact with the real world and its people but He wasn’t contaminated from that contact. True biblical separation is contact without contamination. We’re different from the world but not odd. When you’re different, you attract people and have opportunities to share the good news of Christ; but when you’re odd, you repel people and they slam the door on your witness.
We must not overlook the parallel between Israel and the church. All who are born again through faith in Jesus Christ are "chosen in him [Christ] before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:4). This salvation came to us "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy" (Titus 2:5). Like Israel, the church is God’s chosen people and His treasured possession, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (1 Peter 2:5, 9); and like Israel, we are called to be a light to the lost world (Matt. 5:14-16).
Remember Thelma Jo today. She is making slow progress but progress. Remember Mark, Linda and Barb. A special thanks to everyone who helped with the Weaver house. The debris is cleared and Carroll will keep it for gardening as long as his health holds. I loved Taylor’s testimony Sunday. God is raising up good people.
Michael