Separation from the world and separated unto Jesus Christ

[JAHinton]

Thanks Kevin you are correct that is not what I was saying. What I was saying is that there is a negative aspect (from the world) and positive aspect (to Jesus) Unless we have both the positive and negative aspects in operation we do not have Biblical separation .

[chev1958]

Sorry, I just don't get it. :loco I guess I'm too thick today.

[John81]

We have far too many Christians who will give you the list of things the will not do (from the world). But far too few tell what they do (to Jesus). It is not enough to avoid "questionable" activities. The fact that there is a question is enough for me. But what are you doing. How is your Bible Study? How is your prayer time? How is your soul winning? I am sorry to say to each of the preceeding my answer has to be "not good enough."

Far too many "separated" IFB have a much longer don't list than do list

and

I do believe this is one of the main reasons so many outside IFB look at many IFBers as being legalistic or into legalism.

I've encountered a great many of the "I don't do this or that" crowd but rather few who can or will stand there and talk about what they do for/in Christ.

As for how we might answer those points you raise, I do believe that no matter where we are in life we could probably always do better in all of those categories, and definetly always do better in some.

I recently took prayerful inventory of some of these matters and the Lord has guided me to make some changes. Praise God!

[JAHinton]

What I have tried to say is that there is both a positive and negative aspect of separation. The positive is my separation to Jesus. It consists of the things that I do. I am faithfull to all services of my church. I study my Bible on a regular basis. I witness for HIm. etc.

The negative aspect is my separation from the world the things I do not do. I do not use intoxicating beverages. I do not use profain language. etc.

Just as a battery without both a positive and negative post is not a functional batter separation that is not both from the world and to Jesus is not scriptural separation.

I can not be affective Bible student or witness if I live a wordly life. Nor can I be affective if I separate myself from the things of the world while not doing the other things I ought to be doing. "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works" Eph 2:10 They must both be there.

[John81]

What I have tried to say is that there is both a positive and negative aspect of separation. The positive is my separation to Jesus. It consists of the things that I do. I am faithfull to all services of my church. I study my Bible on a regular basis. I witness for HIm. etc.

The negative aspect is my separation from the world the things I do not do. I do not use intoxicating beverages. I do not use profain language. etc.

Just as a battery without both a positive and negative post is not a functional batter separation that is not both from the world and to Jesus is not scriptural separation.

I can not be affective Bible student or witness if I live a wordly life. Nor can I be affective if I separate myself from the things of the world while not doing the other things I ought to be doing. "For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works" Eph 2:10 They must both be there.

I understood, but then again, I'm just a backwoods hick. :Green

It's very true that for our life to be in balance with Christ we must pay attention to the "thou shalts" as well as the "thou shalt nots".

[kevinmiller]

All the standards and convictions in the world are useless without a passion and a heart for Christ.

[John81]

All the standards and convictions in the world are useless without a passion and a heart for Christ.

That's true! And it's that heartfelt passion for Christ that should lead us to live the "positives" and "negatives".

It should be our love for Christ that impassions us to read and study the Bible. It should be our passion for Christ that leads us to avoid pornography. It should be our passion for Christ that leads us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, that leads us to bear the fruit of the Spirit, that leads us to hide God's Word in our hearts, that leads us to fight the good fight and run the race set before us with great zeal!

[Jerry]

All the standards and convictions in the world are useless without a passion and a heart for Christ.

Right - but we will never have a passion and heart for Christ if we disregard the guidance and standards He has taught/impressed upon us.

[John81]

Right - but we will never have a passion and heart for Christ if we disregard the guidance and standards He has taught/impressed upon us.

Perhaps in a manner of speaking, but more-so, I believe that having a passion and heart for Christ is what compels us not to disregard those things rather than the other way around.

[Selah]

Perhaps in a manner of speaking' date=' but more-so, I believe that having a passion and heart for Christ is what compels us not to disregard those things rather than the other way around.[/quote']

Thats what my pastor said too...That if we love and have a desire to serve Him...then His desires will eventually become ours..

[Jerry]

I have seen too many people who supposedly have a passion and a zeal for Christ, and they are living in rebellion to the Word of God. That tells me that their zeal and passion is not the right kind. Anyone can say they love the Lord and are devoted to Him, but the proof is in the way they live. We cannot have a passion for the Lord without obedience. If someone willingly disregards something they know they should do or not do, then they are not going to have a passion. In other words, we don't wait for the passion to obey - we obey and the feelings follow after.

I believe passion and obedience do go hand in hand though (not one divorced from the other) - whatever level of passion we have influences us to obey, and as we stop hindering the Holy Spirit by allowing Him full control, then we will have more passion.

[John81]

I believe passion and obedience do go hand in hand though (not one divorced from the other) - whatever level of passion we have influences us to obey, and as we stop hindering the Holy Spirit by allowing Him full control, then we will have more passion.

Agreed!

[kevinmiller]

That's true! And it's that heartfelt passion for Christ that should lead us to live the "positives" and "negatives".

It should be our love for Christ that impassions us to read and study the Bible. It should be our passion for Christ that leads us to avoid pornography. It should be our passion for Christ that leads us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, that leads us to bear the fruit of the Spirit, that leads us to hide God's Word in our hearts, that leads us to fight the good fight and run the race set before us with great zeal!

Oftentimes, people get the cart before the horse. The Bible says that the two greatest commandments are love the Lord with all of our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves. He then said that if we followed these two commandments, we would fulfill the law as a direct result of obedience to these commands. If we focus our energy on obeying those commands we will, like you said, be compelled to please Him in everything that we do.

"For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."