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Touch Not the Unclean Thing |
Dear Brethren,
The better the environment we place ourselves in, the less
we are exposed to wrong influences. Paul said, "Be
not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." (1Corinthians 15:33) Those in the world who do not appreciate the
goodness of God's way of life can influence us in a wrong way, if we
are not careful. Close friendships with those who habitually
violate Godly principles can pull us down - even to their level.
How different are we from the world? Do we think we can rub
shoulders with the unconverted and remain unaffected? "There is
a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed
from their filthiness." (Proverbs 30:12)
How do we, as Christians, turn the situation around
so that our lives reflect the true way of life? How do we advance
the cause of the Gospel and promote the right way of Life?
The clear command is for us to be a light to the world - not allow
the world to pull us down to its level. Our very actions must
promote the Gospel - not indicate that we are
ashamed of our faith. "Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of
me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him
also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of
his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)
Paul understood that it was impossible
to completely avoid those who sin as a way of life. "I wrote
unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not
altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous,
or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of
the world." (1Corinthians 5:9-10) Paul in his next letter,
at least his third letter on the subject, gave these instructions
for us so that we do not become too involved with those who would be
detrimental to us spiritually:
"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion [fellowship] hath light with darkness? And what concord
hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an
infidel? 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." (2Corinthians 6:14-16)
Paul, then, gives God's clear instructions to His people to keep
their distance as far as associating on intimate terms is
concerned. We are not to "enter their world," and they cannot enter
our world - unless called by the Father. In a spiritual sense, we
are to guard our minds and keep our distance, because there is a
clear and present danger to us when we interact on their level.
"Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee."
(Proverbs 2:11) Business and social interaction is okay to the
extent that we fully uphold God's Truth in all that we do. When
friends in the world ask that if we "give a little," and they give a
little, too, to meet us half-way - it is a trap! Certainly, it
seems reasonable to them - but it is not acceptable for us. God says
we must continually uphold His highest standard. "Be ye holy, [set
apart] for I am holy," God says.
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises,
dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2Corinthians 6:17-7)
“…do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
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Sermon: |
"Touch Not the Unclean Thing"
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