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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not pure in doctrine and lifestyle, and withdrawn from prolonged or pr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

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