What is biblical separation?

Answer

Biblical separation is the recognition that God has called believers out of the world and into personal and corporate purity amidst sinful cultures. Biblical separation is typically considered in two areas: personal and ecclesiastical.

Personal separation involves an individual’s commitment to a godly standard of behavior. Daniel practiced personal separatism when he “resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine” «But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. », (Daniel 1:8). His was a biblical separatism because his standard was based on God’s revelation in the Mosaic law.

A modern example of personal separation could be the decision to decline invitations to parties where alcohol is served. Such a decision might be made to avoid temptation «But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.», (Romans 13:14), to steer clear of “every kind of evil” «Abstain from all appearance of evil. », (1 Thessalonians 5:22), or simply to be consistent with a personal conviction «One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. », (Romans 14:5).

The Bible clearly teaches that the child of God is to be separate from the world. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness haveIn what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17; see also 1 Peter 1:14-16).

Ecclesiastical separation involves the decisions of a church concerning its ties to other organizations, based on their theology or practices. Separatism is implied in the very word “church,” which comes from the Greek word ekklesia meaning “a called-out assembly.” In Jesus’ letter to the church of Pergamum, He warned against tolerating those who taught false doctrine (Revelation 2:14-15). The church was to be separate, breaking ties with heresy. A modern example of ecclesiastical separation could be a denomination’s stance against ecumenical alliances which would unite the church with apostates.

Biblical separation does not require Christians to have no contact with unbelievers. Like Jesus, we should befriend the sinner without partaking of the sin «The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! », (Luke 7:34). Paul expresses a balanced view of separatism: “I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10). In essence, we are part of the world, but not controlled by it.

Our role is to illuminate the world while ensuring that our light remains undiminished. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be concealed. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on a stand, and it illuminates everyone in the house. Likewise, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).