Tag: 2nd Corinthians 6
Holy Separation to God!
Scripture reading for August 4th: 2nd Corinthians 6
Key scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Corinthians 6:14, 16-18 “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. . . .For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said, “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and the will be My people.” “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Paul warned the Corinthians to be careful in their relationships and close associations with people from the world. Unbelievers have nothing in common with believers, and are in fact spiritually hostile to God and His people. God wants to live in each believer and be their God totally and for each believer to belong exclusively to Him. This requires a separation of what is holy from that which is profane or worldly. Our bodies are now the temple of the Holy Spirit and are set apart to God for His use. We are to separate from all that would defile God’s temple or tempt us to compromise our relationship with God!
Observations for over-comers: Separation from evil influences, unbelievers, and sinful practices is mandatory for over-comers. Separation to God for His purposes is the best approach, as all else will drop off. “Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful; you have married foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt. Now make confession to the Lord, the God of you fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives.” (Ezra 10:10-11)
Don’t be unequally yoked!
Scripture reading for August 5th: 2nd Corinthians 6
God has called those who believe on His Son, Jesus Christ, to a life that is separated from sin and set apart for Him and His will. There are only two groups of people in the world–the redeemed and the lost! The Corinthians had been redeemed from a pagan cultural system where idolatry and worldly ways drew many people into deep bondage and darkness. They needed a strong word of instruction to keep them moving towards Jesus!
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-15) Paul used a questioning technique that was common to the rabbinical teaching of his day to draw the church members into thinking about their ways. They had been redeemed from the worldly culture of their day, but many were still yoked in unholy relationships and business partnerships. These partnerships could possibly lead these believers back into the world and Paul the pastor was warning them!
“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” “Therefore come out from them and be separate,” says the Lord, “Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty.” (2nd Corinthians 6:16-18) God’s precious promises and call to holiness should motivate us to please Him. We must live separated lives and still reach out to the lost of the world to bring the Gospel of Christ to them.