2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be mismatched with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? 15 Or what harmony does Christ have with Belial, or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 Or what agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell among them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17 Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean, And I will welcome you. 18 And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.
The church at Corinth had many problems and Paul addressing them in a "letter" format was Paul's attempt to give them personal and pointed instructions for Godliness. Part of Paul's instructions were centered around their conduct and their interaction with "the world" around them. Paul specifically tells them to NOT mix with unbelievers, stating "what does light have in common with darkness?" Paul's words are a good wake-up call for all believers as to the interaction and mixing we should have with a lost and dying world. It isn't like we treat those who are unbelievers like they have a terrible disease that we don't want to catch. But it goes much deeper into the processes of the heart and mind and how the world influences our thinking. In fact, Jesus in His prayer for His disciple says the world will hate us because we are not of this world, just as He is not of this world. The realization of this fact causes us to land on the side of righteousness every time. When we look more like the world in our speech and our conduct we have become less like the people God wants us to be. But when we actually being to pursue righteousness God will make us come to an impasse and that is going to force us to decide. God or the World!!
As believers, our decision should be GOD! Just in case you had a pause there. To make a decision about following God's ways is to make a decision to study God's Word and base our life on what that Word says in every situation. Just a point of clarification. Generally, the Word of God will ALWAYS contradict what the world says to do. Further in Jesus' prayer in John 17, He says John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. To be sanctified means to be made more like God and His ways. This. is part of the separation from the World's way of living and thinking and it is also a natural strengthening of the bond between us and God. He is always present and growing us and the opportunity for widening our spiritual is always brought on by us and our lack of pursuing God. He is faithful and we are not.
Now we have the choice to make that right by pursuing God with all our heart, , mind, soul, and strength, and then we will see life from His perspective. Jesus goes on in His prayer in John 17 by saying this John 17:22 The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one;23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
To be ONE with God in everything in our life is something that can only come through our seeking Him and His righteousness. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you. When Jesus is the first thing you seek daily, then there will be a separation from the influence of the world on your life. If you don't seek Him, then you will begin living a life that is under the influence of the world and that is a dangerous road to defeat. Get on The Road to Victory and seek Jesus and His righteousness and His promise says that all things will be added to you. Don't forget the world ALL!!
The Pilgrimage Continues.
David Warren
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