2Cor 6:17-18 | KingComments | STEP | . The word “therefore” is meaningful. God will dwell in the midst of His people and walk among them and that’s why His people cannot associate with the world. His people must be radically separated from the world and from everything found therein. The preceding verses make it clear that this separation already exists, but that God’s people must live this out in practice. A believer must break all relationships in which God does not have the first place. This applies primarily to relationships a believer enters into on a voluntarily basis. It is about relationships in which a believer carries responsibility together with an unbeliever and makes compromises. The unbeliever is guided by an entirely different set of motives and therefore the believer has to make compromises. Jehoshaphat – a Godly king in the Old Testament – was reproached by God for being unequally yoked ( ). You can read what God thinks about this in 2 Chronicles 19 ( ). Unfortunately he falls into this error again ( ). You can see there the consequences are more serious than the first time. There are also other examples. I know of young men who played in a music band and quit the band after their conversion. They still play music but now only with believers and for the Lord. I know believers who had relationship with unbelievers. When they realized that it was not right they confessed it as sin before God and broke off the connections. Sometimes the Lord worked in such a way that the other got converted later and the relationship resumed and they got married. In connection with this, a few words about marriage. Once a marriage has taken place it should not be broken. God hates divorce ( ). The appeal “come out from their midst and be separate” does not apply to marriage ( ). But all other connections, in which you join forces with unbelievers in order to achieve a common goal and in which you cannot give God the first place you must give up and let go. You can think of a business you want to set up with someone in which both you and the other person are equally responsible for the management. On the basis of this scripture such a partnership cannot be approved if the other person is an unbeliever. Obedience to these instructions has cost many a person much trouble. Separation can be painful. It also can be painful to the other party from whom you separate because that person can get the impression that you are superior. This never may be the reason. Then try to explain to the other party about the specific issues you cannot compromise. I cannot guarantee that the other person will understand or will accept your decision, but you are responsible to the Lord to obey His Word. You separate from something or someone. Separation in itself can be nothing else than Phariseeism, the kind of holiness doctrine that indicates that you feel yourself far superior to others. Separation in the biblical sense does not have a negative but a positive goal. God wants you to be set apart for Him. In order to help you to reach His standard God gives you the following great promises in which He shows what He does with you and what He wants to be for you. 1. “I will welcome you” ( ). You might ask: ‘Was I not already welcomed?’ Yes, that’s right. But in this verse the point is that you also enjoy it. When you are not separated God cannot let you feel that you are welcome. . 2. “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me.” Here also you can ask: ‘Was I not so already?’ Yes, but He cannot let you feel that you are precious to Him. For example, my children are and will remain my children, no matter what they do. But if they are disobedient I cannot let them feel my love as their father. So it is with the Father in heaven. He cannot recognize His children as His children when they live like the worldly people. He is ashamed of them. He very much wants that His children exhibit His character. The power to separate lies in “the LORD Almighty”. The name “LORD”, “Yahweh” indicates the connection God had with Israel and the promises He has given to these people. All these promises will be fulfilled. “Almighty” is the name by which God revealed Himself to Abraham. Abraham is a good example of someone who broke away from his family and lived separately in a pagan country. He put his faith in God. To him God was the only One Who will fulfill everything He has promised. God is not ashamed to be called his God ( ). How God blessed Abraham! In Isaiah 51 there is a beautiful verse: “Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; when [he was but] one I called him” ( ) The consequence of your separation could be that you stand alone. Then think of Abraham and see what God did for him. Your obedience will end in God’s blessings. Probably you already know God so well that you know that He gives back twofold or threefold of all that you give up for Him. God is no man’s debtor. Now read 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 again. Reflection: What is the result when you break a wrong connection?

‏ 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Separation – From What and to What

2Cor 6:17. The word “therefore” is meaningful. God will dwell in the midst of His people and walk among them and that’s why His people cannot associate with the world. His people must be radically separated from the world and from everything found therein. The preceding verses make it clear that this separation already exists, but that God’s people must live this out in practice. A believer must break all relationships in which God does not have the first place.

This applies primarily to relationships a believer enters into on a voluntarily basis. It is about relationships in which a believer carries responsibility together with an unbeliever and makes compromises. The unbeliever is guided by an entirely different set of motives and therefore the believer has to make compromises. Jehoshaphat – a Godly king in the Old Testament – was reproached by God for being unequally yoked (2Chr 18:1-3). You can read what God thinks about this in 2 Chronicles 19 (2Chr 19:2). Unfortunately he falls into this error again (2Chr 20:35-37). You can see there the consequences are more serious than the first time.

There are also other examples. I know of young men who played in a music band and quit the band after their conversion. They still play music but now only with believers and for the Lord. I know believers who had relationship with unbelievers. When they realized that it was not right they confessed it as sin before God and broke off the connections. Sometimes the Lord worked in such a way that the other got converted later and the relationship resumed and they got married.

In connection with this, a few words about marriage. Once a marriage has taken place it should not be broken. God hates divorce (Mal 2:16). The appeal “come out from their midst and be separate” does not apply to marriage (1Cor 7:10-11). But all other connections, in which you join forces with unbelievers in order to achieve a common goal and in which you cannot give God the first place you must give up and let go. You can think of a business you want to set up with someone in which both you and the other person are equally responsible for the management. On the basis of this scripture such a partnership cannot be approved if the other person is an unbeliever.

Obedience to these instructions has cost many a person much trouble. Separation can be painful. It also can be painful to the other party from whom you separate because that person can get the impression that you are superior. This never may be the reason. Then try to explain to the other party about the specific issues you cannot compromise. I cannot guarantee that the other person will understand or will accept your decision, but you are responsible to the Lord to obey His Word.

You separate from something or someone. Separation in itself can be nothing else than Phariseeism, the kind of holiness doctrine that indicates that you feel yourself far superior to others. Separation in the biblical sense does not have a negative but a positive goal. God wants you to be set apart for Him. In order to help you to reach His standard God gives you the following great promises in which He shows what He does with you and what He wants to be for you.

1. “I will welcome you” (2Cor 6:17b). You might ask: ‘Was I not already welcomed?’ Yes, that’s right. But in this verse the point is that you also enjoy it. When you are not separated God cannot let you feel that you are welcome.

2Cor 6:18. 2. “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me.” Here also you can ask: ‘Was I not so already?’ Yes, but He cannot let you feel that you are precious to Him. For example, my children are and will remain my children, no matter what they do. But if they are disobedient I cannot let them feel my love as their father. So it is with the Father in heaven. He cannot recognize His children as His children when they live like the worldly people. He is ashamed of them. He very much wants that His children exhibit His character.

The power to separate lies in “the LORD Almighty”. The name “LORD”, “Yahweh” indicates the connection God had with Israel and the promises He has given to these people. All these promises will be fulfilled. “Almighty” is the name by which God revealed Himself to Abraham. Abraham is a good example of someone who broke away from his family and lived separately in a pagan country. He put his faith in God. To him God was the only One Who will fulfill everything He has promised. God is not ashamed to be called his God (Heb 11:16).

How God blessed Abraham! In Isaiah 51 there is a beautiful verse: “Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; when [he was but] one I called him” (Isa 52:2) The consequence of your separation could be that you stand alone. Then think of Abraham and see what God did for him. Your obedience will end in God’s blessings. Probably you already know God so well that you know that He gives back twofold or threefold of all that you give up for Him. God is no man’s debtor.

Now read 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 again.

Reflection: What is the result when you break a wrong connection?