REPOST: Harvest Part 4 >> Separation (con'td)

REPOST: June 22, 2014 from June 22, 2013

As I reviewed the first three parts that the Lord led me to share, He added another piece as it pertains to SEPARATION.

SEPARATION / DIVISION also carries a theme of DISTINCTION:

In Genesis 1:3-4, on the first day of creation, 

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

Here we see God giving the very first command, the first recorded word of God spoken and He speaks to light and it was, then He separates, divides the light from darkness. He made a distinction between light and darkness and called the light good. 

good (H2896: towb): good, pleasant, agreeable, excellent (of its kind), rich, valuable in estimation, appropriate, becoming, better (comparative), glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature); good understanding (of man's intellectual nature); good, kind, benign; good, right (ethical); a good thing, benefit, welfare, prosperity, happiness, bounty

In 2 Corinthians 6:14, the apostle Paul asks the Corinthians, "what communion hath light with darkness?" 

The short answer is none. Light is called out of darkness. Just as the "CHURCH" is NOT a building. Yes, God's people assemble together, but WE ARE THE CHURCH, the ekklesia — the called out assembly; light called out of darkness, so that God can make a distinction, His display in His people in the earth.

In Exodus 8, when God brought judgment upon the land of Egypt, He indicated that He would make a distinction between His people, Israel and the Egyptians. 

Exodus 8:23

"And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be."

We know that Exodus was the story of God's great move to redeem His people, Israel, from the throws of bondage. Again calling light, His chosen people, out of darkness (bondage, sin). 

God also gave an indication of His will for His chosen, Israel. God indicated that IF (we meet the condition) THEN (He will prevail in our lives and His will would prevail). He desired a kingdom of priests, a peculiar people, a peculiar treasure. 

Exodus 19:5-6

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel

peculiar treasure (H5459:cegullah) - possession, property, valued property, peculiar treasure

Dictionary: peculiar strange; queer; odd: peculiar happenings; uncommon; unusual

holy: set apart for sacred use, consecrated

So even the word peculiar enforces the "distinctiveness" of God's people. As well as holy means to be set apart, consecrated for HIS use.

We are not to mix and mingle with the world and its ways, practices and mindsets. We are called out of the world to be light in the places of darkness. But we can't be light, if we are darkness ourselves. You can't impact what you participate in. You can't influence what has influence over you.

1 Peter 2:9 also confirms this notion of DISTINCTION for God's people. 

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT;"

Jesus is the Light of the world. We are made in His image according to His likeness, so we too are called to be light. There are many scriptures that speak of light and it's clear that the light is good, beneficial, agreeable and what we should aspire for. 

Are we living a called out life, separate from the world and the pleasures of sin? 

Are we denying ourselves or are we full of ourselves? 

Are we light to those in a lost and dying world, or stumbling blocks? 

Could someone follow you and see Christ? 

Does our walk match our talk? Does the procession match the confession? 

What do we attribute to His (Yeshua's) name? 

Can we attribute the things we do to the the model and example that Christ set? 

Does what we do outwardly match with what we do in secret?

What about that willful sin in our lives that we won't turn away from? 

Are we saying that Christ lived to please the flesh?

What are we saying? 

Here's what God is saying: 

2 Corinthians 6:17-18

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Revelation 18:4-5

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.