THE MISSION
“…therefore every teacher and interpreter of the Sacred Writings who has been instructed about and trained for the kingdom of heaven and has become a disciple is like a householder who brings forth out of his storehouse treasure that is new and [treasure that is] old [the fresh as well as the familiar].” Mt 13:52 AMP
The Nature of God is to Separate!
There is a goodness of God that manifests as separating…
Separating out sin…
Separating out darkness
Even separating out members of a family…
Here are some Scriptures that allude to this characteristic of God…
In creation:
“And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.” Gen 1:4 AMP
In purpose:
“Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace.” Lk 1:78-79 NKJV
In relationships:
“For from now on in one house there will be five divided [among themselves], three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law".” Lk 12:51-53 NKJV
In destiny:
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes into the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” Jn 3:17-21 NKJV
In consecration:
“For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life. And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him].” Eph 5:8-10 NKJV
“What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favor.” 2Cor 6:16-18 NKJV
What are we to conclude from these passages and more besides as we ponder their meaning?
I think we ultimately see, God brought a provision of light into this world and all who have received Him as Savior have the ability then to receive light. This quality of light first separates us from darkness in salvation, the Holy Spirit, and Light enter into us. But then the Life of Christ via the Holy Spirit continues a work of separation by applying the atonement of the Cross and the blood of Jesus so that we are continually being cleansed from our sin and darkness AS we persist in dwelling in the Word and actively living in the presence of God.
Listen to the language of 1Jn 1:7:
“But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from all sin in all forms and manifestations].” AMP
What is fascinating to me, is the action of God works to remove us from sin, as opposed to removing sin from us…
In a sense, the focus is us, not the sin. By removing us from sin, our quotient of light increases… like a beam becoming more pure.
Before the very foundation of the world, God had a plan, and it manifested from His very character. He wanted a people to love and be HIs. He made a way for that, but it had to align with His nature. He changeth not. So His desire and design for mankind as never changed.
It is in the act of separation that He makes us His and cleanses us…
To be His and remain His, it is helpful to understand this character of His so we can cooperate rather than resist His nature…
The miraculous thing is the God has not set before us a standard to adhere to, He has given us within and upon us the very life of HIs Son to make this walk possible!
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard change his spots? Then you also can do good who are accustomed to do evil and even trained to do it.” Jer 13:23 AMP
After all, what is HIs nature is also becoming ours as well… if we let it.
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