Biblical Separation Defended - Far Eastern Bible College

Thus it appears that while Christians are to love one another sosincerely that all men shall know by beholding their mutual love thatthey are the disciples of Christ (John 13:34,35), and while they are alsoto love even their enemies who curse them (Matt. 6:44), they are on theother hand commanded to manifest a conduct of separation toward thosewho are in the group of false prophets, heretics, causers of divisionscontrary to the received doctrine, unbelievers, and advocates of anothergospel or of another Christ. This separation is to manifest itself towardthese by such actions as avoidance, rejection, severing yokes, severingrelationships, non-fellowship, non-reception into the house, a wary andcautious posture toward them and a sincere inner hope that the purposesof such false believers and teachers as well as the parties themselves willmeet with their just end (Rom. 16:17; Titus 3:10; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 2 John10,11; Matt: 7:15; and Gal. 1:8,9).Although Christians ought to love each other for many reasons, theyare to especially love each other because they know that God, who is thesupreme object of their love, Himself loves their fellow disciples (1 John4:11). This love they are to manifest outwardly in every possible way.Likewise, because the Holy God hateth “all workers of iniquity.” [Lit.“You have hated . . .”] (Psa. 5: 5), Christians must also be set against sin,its advocates, and prophets – notwithstanding their constant hope andprayer that these might repent and change their allegiance. Christians forthis reason are in a true sense the enemies of all ungodly purposes andteachings and are bound never to aid anyone in a work for Satan. ThusJehu rebuked Jehoshaphat, who was basically a man of God, for aidingungodly Ahab by an alliance (2 Chron. 19:2,3). So it can be seen that thepeople of God are to express universal love, especially for each other,but as they truly love God’s holiness, goodness, and righteousness, theirlove for these must also manifest itself in abhorrence and hatred for sin,sinful deeds and purposes, and the advocating of evil schemes!Applying these truths to the subject at hand, it is seen that the NewTestament calls for the manifesting by Christians of the utmost infellowship and cooperation toward those who profess Christ and whoare not holding or bringing pernicious doctrine and error, nor living inimmorality or other open sin; while it on the other hand calls for adistinct separation from fellowship, approval, cooperation and the giving74