INTRO: I have called the doctrine of separation the neglected doctrine. In true salvation, the Lord separates us from the world and places us in the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13). From then on He is in the process of separating us from sin. That is the process of sanctification, or being made holy, and holiness is separation from sin. 1 Peter 1:13-16 says, “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
Hebrews 12:14-16 says, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”
In the first message we dealt with separation from sin in the world. We dealt mainly with what the world is. I mentioned the connection between the phrases; the world, and this age. I mentioned in the last message that the Bible speaks of the sons of this age. Those are the lost (Luke 16:8). It speaks of the god of this age. That is the Devil (2 Cor. 4:4). It speaks of the rulers of this age. Those are the demonic forces (1 Cor. 2:6-8). It speaks of the wisdom of this age. That is the wisdom of lost mankind (1 Cor. 1:20, 2:6 etc...). |
