SEVERAL words are important for this doctrine. First, the Greek APHORIZO (aphorizo), that means “to mark off by bounds or to put asunder. Second, the word CHORIZO (chorizo), that means to separate oneself or to depart. Third, the word APODIORIZO (apodiorizo),  that means to make separation.

Biblical separation refers to several things:

THE DIVINE ACTION IN CALLING MEN apart for Himself, that separation for God’s own possession [1 Peter 2:9-10]

God’s imputation of divine perfect righteousness and eternal life carries with it the privileges of election and positional sanctification.

THE DIVINE ACTION IN SETTING MEN apart for the work of the Gospel. They are separated for the ministry [Acts 13:2]. They are called, prepared and send by God not by men [1 Corinthians 1:1, Colossians 1:1], but trained among men [1 Timothy 5:22].

THE DIVINE JUDGMENT UPON THOSE who would reject Christ for eternal separation from God [Matthew 13:49-50, 23:32-33].

THE DIVINE COMMAND TO SEPARATE FROM UNBELIEVERS:

1. Separation from unbelievers in any form of spiritual endeavor.
2. Separation from those who opposes Christ or Bible doctrine [2 Timothy 2:14,16, Jude 18-].
3. Separation from marrying unbeliever, which is both physical and spiritual union [2 Corinthians 6:14-14].
4. Separation from idols worship –that is to depart from false teaching [2 Corinthians 6:16-19].
5. Separation from the deeds of darkness [Ephesians 5:11-12].

THE VOLITIONAL SEPARATION the believer must do in order to reach spiritual maturity. That is to separate from any form of distractions or to fully concentrate in learning the Word of God. This is not necessarily physical separation but the concentration of the soul in learning Bible doctrine [2 Timothy 2:21, 15].

THE SEPARATION THE BELIEVER MUST AVOID:

1. Separation in marriage of both believers because of immorality [1 Corinthians 6:13, 18, Hebrews 13:4].
2. Separation that causes division or faction in the church [1 Corinthians 3:3].

THE SEPARATION OF BELIEVERS BY UNBELIEVERS:

1. Separation from unbelieving spouse [1 Corinthians 7:15].

2. Separation from false brethren [1 John 2:19, 1 Timothy 5:15].

THE SEPARATION THE BELIEVERS MUST prepared to suffer –maybe not a physical separation but emotional. That is being alone in a crowd because

Of his faith, calling and beliefs [2 Timothy 1:8, 12, 3:11-12].

THE DIVINE COMMAND TO SEPARATE FROM COSMIC BELIEVERS who are living in the world without God [Romans 16:17-18 and 1 Corinthians 5:11-12].

Every believer must be prepared to encounter most of the 14 categories of separation and to apply the divine problem solutions to each case. Such separations are often painful and disheartening.

Definition and Description.

Separation is the technique of switching from personal love to impersonal love when dealing with friends or loved ones in the cosmic system.

Separation is the perception of doctrine by which one establishes his priorities in life, and the application of doctrine by which one disassociates himself with any hindrance to momentum from friends and loved ones.  Until you've established priorities, you cannot make a correct decision about separation.

Separation is applied to both unbelievers and believers in the cosmic system who seek to influence the believer in a negative way. Therefore, there must be separation from reversionistic loved ones, but it does not have to be physical separation.

There are two categories of separation from people.

Mental separation.

In mental separation, there is one way antagonism from those in the cosmic system toward you.  Your volition protects you from becoming antagonistic toward them by your use of impersonal love.

In the context of Mt 10:34 38, certain loved ones or friends become involved in the cosmic system.  You have the alternatives to follow them or take up your cross, mental separation, and follow the Lord.

Their influence is so great on the believer that he is tempted by their love to join them in the cosmic system.

To avoid this negative influence, the believer can maintain his correct priorities by mental preparation and separation, switching from personal love to impersonal love.

Mental separation emphasizes the integrity, honor and doctrinal application of the believer residing inside the divine dynasphere.

Impersonal love is not influenced by those loved ones who are residing in the cosmic system, who are reversionistic and antagonistic to doctrine.

Impersonal love functions on its own integrity and perpetuates its own priorities from the intake of doctrine.

 Impersonal love emphasizes personal love for God while setting aside functions of personal love for friends or loved ones.

Mental separation, in contrast to physical separation, is therefore a separation which avoids maligning, judging, hating, criticizing, seeking revenge, hurting those with whom you've been intimate in the past.

Mental separation avoids destruction of the spiritual life.

Physical separation.

There are some cases where switching from personal love to impersonal love will not work.  For example, getting false information in the local church.  You must leave physically as well as under the principle of impersonal love.  Another example, when a woman is used as a punching bag by her husband, she should leave.

When some form of tyranny says, "No you cannot go to church," then physical separation is demanded.

Physical separation means to avoid any personal contact with a person under nearly any circumstances.  You regard that person as dead.

This means severance of all relation with that person of any kind.

Physical separation is sometimes needed to maintain one's priorities and to use one's volition to keep his spiritual momentum moving forward.

The Function of Separation.

You may avoid people or hate people due to mental attitude sins  but you are not practicing Biblical separation as taught by the Word of God.

True separation is impossible without the filling of the Holy Spirit and the consistent intake of Bible doctrine.

 2 Tim 3:5, "They [believers and unbelievers in the cosmic system] hold to external forms of godliness, but have renounced the power of that same godliness; you also be turning yourself away from these men."

2 Thess 3:6, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus

Christ, that you separate from every believer who leads an undisciplined life [no momentum], that is not according to the tradition you have received from  us

2 Thess 3:14, "If anyone does not obey our doctrinal teaching in this epistle, take  special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he may be put  to shame

Rom 16:17 18, "Turn away from them" is physical separation from troublemakers.

Discernment in separation

When to separate and when not to.  I Cor. 5: 9-1 3

Rom 12:1 3.  If you fail in the matter of separation, you will think about self in terms of arrogance

Separation is thinking about yourself in relation to others apart from arrogance.

The first prerequisite for proper separation is a good sense of humor.  By switching from personal love to impersonal love you get away from your illusions about people you have loved.

Separation demands understanding permanent priorities, 1 John 2:15 17. Your permanent priority is your daily function inside the divine dynasphere, while avoiding at all costs any prolonged stay in the cosmic system.

Separation from unbelievers inside the cosmic system is taught in 2 Cor.6:14 17.  Every time you hook up with something or someone in the cosmic system, you are in partnership with the cosmic system.  This is why you are given the order: "Therefore come out from among them."

Separation is important in social life, Jer 15:16 17; 1 Pet 4:3 4,  Eph. 5: 6-12

The believer is to separate from a superficial social life, a fun crowd.  The party crowd always has a false scale of values. They emphasize the details of life and non-essentials as more important.

The believer is to separate from the "fast crowd."  There comes a time when the  believer grows spiritually, and his first function is to separate from the crowd that use to lead him in the wrong direction.

Separation from those who embrace false doctrines.   2 John .1: 7-10

The believer is to separate from violence and criminal activity, Proverbs 1:10 19.

   12/01/06

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