Some cry foul or “legalism” at the very mention of living a life separated from sin. Does God have an opinion? Here are 3 Bible reasons that every Christian should strive to live a holy life.
Convictions. Standards. Sanctification. Holy Living. The concept goes by different names among different groups. Whatever name you choose to describe it, the honest Christian must admit that God does not want His people living in sin. Why would God allow His Son to die such a horrible death on the Cross if sin didn’t really matter to Him?
The carnal Christian asks questions such as: “What is the least I have to do?” “Why do I have to do it?” “Why can’t I (fill in this blank with sin) ?”
The surrendered Christian asks questions like: “What more can I do to please the Lord?” “Lord, help me to live a life that pleases you.”
Since Christ died to save our souls from eternal hell-fire, there is nothing too great that He can ask of us. We are to be living sacrifices. Romans 12:1-2 Like Moses, we are to reject the temporary pleasures of sin willing rather to suffer the reproach of Christ. Are you willing?
3 Bible Reasons to Live a Separated Life:
1. Sin Separates from God.
Isaiah 59:1–2 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; Neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
Sin separates a lost world from a Holy God. Jesus died on the cross to pay for sin so we could be brought back into fellowship with God. With our sin forgiven through faith in Christ, we are born again into the family of God. Sin had to be removed before we could go to Heaven.
Also, unrepentant sin separates the believer from his Heavenly Father. He is still saved through Christ’s finished work on the Cross, but his relationship with his Father changes. We see this concept daily. Imagine a child that disrespects and disobeys his parents. Perhaps he continually does what he knows his father or mother doesn’t want him to do. Maybe the rebellious child even makes statements like “It’s my life. I’ll do what I want.” or “I don’t care what Dad says.” Now imagine the same parents have a child that sincerely wants to obey. This obedient child is more concerned about pleasing Daddy than getting what He wants. He is kind and respectful even going the extra mile to make sure He does right.
Which of these two children will have a close, loving, relationship with Dad and Mom? Which child will be rewarded with extra blessings and opportunities? In contrast, which child will be at odds with his parents continually being disciplined and losing opportunities? The answers are obvious.
Which child more closely resembles your relationship with God? Sin separates us from our Heavenly Father. It is imperative that we strive to live a separated life!
2. God commands us to live separate from sin.
1 Peter 1:14–16 “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
2 Corinthians 6:14–17 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”
God is Holy. There is no sin in Him! He hates sin and can’t look upon it. (Habakkuk 1:13) He must judge sin. But He wants to be with you. He made a way to separate us from our sin judicially through the Cross. Therefore, we can go to Heaven. Praise God! Now God wants to separate us practically from sin so we can have an intimate relationship with Him on Earth.
The Scripture above reminds us that God has nothing in common with sin. He is separate from sin. So, if we want to be close to God, we must be separate from sin as well.
3. A separated life allows us to enjoy all the rights and privileges of being God’s child.
2 Corinthians 6:18 “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
The Scripture says that if we “come out from among them” and “be ye separate” and “touch not the unclean thing” that God will receive us and be a Father to us. Wait a minute! I thought that God became my Father and received me into His family when I got saved. How do we reconcile these verses?
The concept is simple. God is your Father through faith in the Gospel. (John 1:12) But the Christian who chooses to live in sin doesn’t have as close of a relationship with their Heavenly Father as they could if they were separated. They are like the rebellious child we discussed earlier. Those that live at odds with the Father are in constant need of correction. Sin separates us from God. God must chastise His children if they are rebellious! Hebrews 12:6-9
In contrast, those children who agree with God about sin and strive to live separate from it will have a closer and more abundant relationship with their Heavenly Father. He will receive them (closeness) and be a Father unto them (privileges)! The sincerely separated Christian enjoys all the rights and privileges of being God’s child.
2 Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
God says this acceptance and closeness through separation are promises. These promises should motivate us to cleanse our lives from any sins of the flesh and spirit. Search us, O God! Help us to be holy!
Do you feel far away from God? Do your prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling? Is God silent when you read the Bible? That is a terrible way for a Christian to live! God doesn’t want you to continue that way. Is there a sin in your life that you have refused to give up? Have you been rebellious against the Lord? Ask God to reveal what is between you and Him. Be willing to obey Him when He shows you.
You will live separated from sin’s pleasure, or you will live separated from God’s blessings. No sinful pleasure is worth that. Run to your Heavenly Father today. Confess your sin. Surrender your desires. Separate from sin. Begin today to enjoy all the rights and privileges of a child of God!