Great Doctrines - Grace Church of DuPage
Great Doctrines - Grace Church of DuPage
Great Doctrines - Grace Church of DuPage
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L<br />
D OCTRINAL OCTRINAL LLESSON<br />
L ESSON SSECTION<br />
S ECTION 27 SSEP<br />
S EP EPARA EP ARA ARATION ARA TION<br />
DOCTRINAL SUMMARY<br />
One theme, which follows from the biblical insistence upon holiness and purity, is<br />
separation. The Christian is to remove himself from certain aspects <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
James said “...keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27). Paul writes, “Come<br />
out from them, and be separate... and I will be a Father to you...” (2Cor. 6:17,18). Such<br />
appeals to live pure and distinctive lives are based on the fact that we are God’s people,<br />
and our relationships and behavior ought to be different from those <strong>of</strong> the world.<br />
The application <strong>of</strong> these principles in the lives <strong>of</strong> believers has been varied. Some<br />
have shunned secular schools, separated from churches or church bodies which are<br />
not pure in doctrine and lifestyle, and withdrawn from prolonged or pr<strong>of</strong>ound contact<br />
with non-Christians, lest there be a corruption <strong>of</strong> their faith and life. Others have<br />
maintained close personal relationships with unbelievers, or joined as members with<br />
organizations which make no explicit claim to a Christian commitment.<br />
There are biblical grounds supporting each side <strong>of</strong> this tension. There is certainly<br />
Scriptural teaching that we belong to a pure and holy God, and we are to be pure as<br />
well. But there is Jesus’ teaching that we are to be salt and light in the world<br />
(Matt. 5:13-16). To be involved in the structures <strong>of</strong> society while still maintaining our<br />
distinctiveness, our quality as salt and light, requires a delicate balance. Each Christian<br />
will need to determine prayerfully just how he can best achieve the goal <strong>of</strong> both<br />
practicing compassion for those ensnared in the world while keeping ourselves unspotted<br />
by the world.<br />
<br />
AS YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER YOUR RESPONSE:<br />
My usefulness to God will depend upon my willingness to identify with the things that<br />
are pleasing to Him. (Psalm 1 )<br />
HOMEWORK:<br />
Read the central passages daily.<br />
Read Grudem chapter 42.<br />
Notes<br />
GREAT DOCTRINES III ~ SANCTIFICATION PART 3~SECTION 27~PAGE 3<br />
S<br />
27 S