About Doctrines
Separation
Do you feel special?
The Greek word "separated" means to mark off by boundaries or something similar. If we are not separated we can not accomplish the true work of God. If we are separated to God, we should be automatically separated from all that is opposed to God! On the other hand, "Pharisee" appears to be derived from a word that means "separated." As we consider the views of the Pharisees in the Gospels, we must wonder to whom or from what they are separated. The history of the word provides no clue. Perhaps, the Pharisees viewed themselves as being separated from all that was unclean under the law. The ideas are similar to Paul's but . . .
It is important to recognize that being separated involves several aspects. First, one is separated to God. This is the legal process of justification, a concept we will study in great detail later in this course. To be justified means that God has found you not guilty of sin, by the application of the shed blood of Jesus to your own situation, and to be declared righteous. This process occurs when you accept Jesus as your own personal Lord and Savior. This is initial or positional sanctification.
Second, you are separated from power of sin in your daily walk through life. This is experience in sanctification.
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
"I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people."
17 Therefore
"Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you."
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people."
17 Therefore
"Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you."
18 "I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty."
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
NKJV
This passage describes the process of walking with God, of current or experiential sanctification. The middle portion of Romans (chaps 5-8) may be viewed as a commentary on this passage from 2 Corinthians.
