2 Corinthians 6:17 – be Separate (Greek – aphorizo)

As children of God we need to keep our identity. If we claim we are God's children and co-heirs with Christ, we need to shape our lives after the nature and character of God who is holy.

Consider carefully 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.”

“What is separation”? The dictionary defines separation as division or withdrawal from others. The Greek word for separation is aphorizo. It means to set off by boundary, limit, exclude, appoint, divide, separate. From the Biblical Point of view this means separation from the world. We live in this world and we are a part of it but we cannot and should not conform to its ways.

I Tim. 6:11. Paul commands Timothy here by saying "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Tim 6:11)

In I Timothy 4, 5, 6:1-10 Paul warns about ungodliness and spiritual decay in the Christendom. He very specially cautions Timothy that in the last days people will abandon their faith, they will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control and brutal. Then he says "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness". We as God’s people should be separated from the world. When a person watches our lives, when a person listens to our conversation and when people notice our behavior and our attitude he or she should say that this is a real child of God.

Satan is trying his best to defeat us. He always aims at our personal holiness. But if we take a stand for Christ, uncompromising in every area of our lives just like Daniel, God will honour us. Daniel had every opportunity to compromise his faith. The situations were such that he could do anything and get away with it with solid reasons. In spite of all those situations he chose to cling on to his faith, his commitment, his law and his holiness.

Another interesting person is Joseph. He had much opportunity to sin. But the law that he learned at home and his personal holy life were greater for him than a moment of pleasure. Joseph had to pay a price for his decision to be holy. Daniel also had to pay a price for his separation from the world. When we take a stand for Christ and are separated from the world for the cause of Christ we may have to pay a price. Nevertheless the cost we pay for our holiness or the shame we may have to suffer because of our decision to stand for Christ is nothing compared to the honour that we will receive when we stand before our savior in heaven.

Bible also warns us about the dangers of not being separated from the world. Solomon was a king of influence, of wisdom and authority. But he did not keep himself away from the impurities of this world. As a result his life ended in a sad note. Samson was a man of strength and even of authority. But he too fell badly from God’s presence because of his love for this world.

Separation from the world and living a holy life is not an option for a Christian. The Bible very well states that we need to be holy just as our God is holy. Though we are in this world, it should not influence us and cause us to fall in the trap of Satan. The fish lives in the salty water but the salt does not affect the fish. Similarly we are in the world but the world should not influence us and affect our spiritual life. The word of God reminds us not to love the world and the things that are in the world. If we love the world God’s love is not in us.

Are you with the Lord or with the world? If you are with the Lord, ask him to pour out His grace to continue you walk with the Him. If you are not with Him take a decision to be separated from the world and embrace Jesus Christ.