dead in sin, we were slaves to sin, under the dictatorship of sin.
While in this state of depravity, we heard a call[THE CALL TO SALVATION]:
'repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'[matt4:17],
'come to Me all you that labour(struggling with sin) and are heavy
laden(with the burden of sin) and I will give you rest'[matt11:28] and
we harkened.
We were like: 'WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?. We were told to:
-Acknowledge our sins[Luke18:11]
-Repent(regret of them sincerely and make up our mind not to go back
to them)[Acts3:19]
-Confess them[1John1:9]
-Ask for forgiveness[Luke18:11] and;
-8elieve in our heart that Jesus died and rose to remit our sins[Rom.10:9-10].
Then we did, we became born again, born anew, born the second time.
We died with Christ[Rom.6:3], living our sins behind, rose as new
creatures[Rom.6:4], as if we had never sinned, and now sitting with
Christ in heavenly places as a result of our Justification[Rom.6:4,
Eph.2:6].
Now that you are saved, now that you are born again, born into a new
family, you have God as your Father and Christ as the first born of
the family[Rom.8:16-17, Col1:15].
As a child of God, God has another call for you(after the first call)
- THE CALL TO SEPARATION.
You are now a member of a new family where 'HOLINESS' is the
watchword. The Father wants the children to be holy '...be ye holy for
I am holy'[1Peter1:16] and as a jealous Father who doesn't want to
share His glory with anyone,He is saying:
'...COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YOU SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD, AND
TOUCH NOT THE UNCLEAN THING, AND I WILL RECIEVE YOU...WHAT CONCORD HAS
CHRIST WITH BELIAL? OR WHAT PART HAS HE THAT BELIEVETH WITH AN
INFIDEL? AND WHAT AGREEMENT HAS THE TEMPLE OF GOD WITH
IDOLS?[1Cor.16:17,15,16]
SEPARATION FROM UNEDIFYING/DEPRAVING ALLUREMENTS.
There are activities, interests, hobbies, events, entertaimments and
amusements that will never edify, develop, and improve our christian
lives.
There are so many ungodly/wordly activities and lifestyle out there,
that pollutes, corrupts, defile, and pervert our soul, thus draging us
back to sin.
Some of these are: pornography, blasphemous jokes/comedy,
sensual(filthy) songs/videos/books with vulgar lyrics and words,
gambling(all sorts of betting, that depicts coveteousness),
seductive/indecent/showy dressing that exposes sensitive parts of the
body, visiting and attending questionable functionts(e.g clubbing), as
well as other kinds of sin.
These activities will drain you out spiritually thus making you
sensual, lewd and carnal. If you must continue to be a member of the
heavenly family you must come out from all these.
SEPARATION FROM UNGODLY COMPANIONSHIP
'Be not decieved evil communication corrupts good manners'[1Cor15:32].
Does this mean you should say goodbye to your unbelieving friends,
don't visit them, don't go to their houses. No!.
There were ungodly places you went to with them, there were sinful
things you did together, separate from them in that wise.
Don't continue with them in doing those things, nonetheless, visit
them and show them love.
If after announcing your disapproval of their lifestyle and they
insist you join them, stay far away from them(because they might set
you up).
Have you answered the first call but you've shunned the second call
and now you are caught in the web of sin as a result of all these
pollutions that has perverted your soul,
admit, repent and confess your sins, ask for forgiveness believe in
your heart that Jesus died and rose thereby shedding his blood for the
remission of your sins.
After this, answer the second call - THE CALL TO SEPARATION.
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