Christians Being Separate From The World

[specialtogod]

being away from anything that takes up time with god

 

[awelight]

Judas was chosen to be a diciple .
Election is to service, calling and purpose, not to salvation. (Isa. 42:1; Acts 9:15; Rom. 11:28)

That one is never going to fly Biblically. You said:

Judas was chosen to be a diciple .
Election is to service, calling and purpose, not to salvation. (Isa. 42:1; Acts 9:15; Rom. 11:28)

While it is true, that one can be called for service and other purposes.... it most certainly relates to Salvation as well, such as in these verses:

Rom 8:28-30 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God called for the purpose of Salvation.

 

[throughfaith]

That one is never going to fly Biblically. You said:

Judas was chosen to be a diciple .
Election is to service, calling and purpose, not to salvation. (Isa. 42:1; Acts 9:15; Rom. 11:28)

While it is true, that one can be called for service and other purposes.... it most certainly relates to Salvation as well, such as in these verses:

Rom 8:28-30 And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

God called for the purpose of Salvation.

When are we conformed to his image ? its not when we believed ( unless your already walking through walls like Jesus ) . its when we are glorified.
Rom 8 .23 . Eph 1.13 , eph 1 .5 .

 

[awelight]

I think the better question is what does it mean to God ... what does God mean when He tells us to be separate?

Let Scripture answer, from our Lord's High Priestly prayer:

John 17:11-17 And I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.

What we can learn from this prayer, to help us be separated from the world:

1) That believers are physically in the world.
2) That our Lord desired us to be one in mind, as He was one in mind with the Father.
3) That we have been given His Word.
4) Because of His Word and the believers witnessing, the believer is hated by this world, just as Christ was hated in His day of ministry. Therefore, being loved by the world is not a good sign of ones faithful walk. We should always HONOR God and not be man pleasers.
5) Believers are not of the world. They don't act like them, they don't think like them and want no part in them, other than to see if God has done something for them.
6) Jesus Christ is no longer bodily in the world.
7) We should be kept and be keeping ourselves away from evil.
8) Believers are sanctified in the Truth of God's Holy Word. The word "sanctified" means to "set apart for Truth", in this context, v.17.

Therefore, point number 8 is the clearest reason as to our being set apart. We should come out of the world and separate ourselves to Truth. We can not please Him by concerning ourselves with the physical or fleshly things, we Honor Him through the spiritual things, by worshiping Him in Spirit and Truth. Then going out into the world and defending this Truth.

 

[breno785au]

Fasting imho. We don’t anymore in general, why? Disconnecting your flesh from the world for 40 days and nights is the best therapy one can get. When things are stronger then yourself, lock yourself up for 40 days and nights and write a book to God. Or go on a trip where you execute all triggers and impulses seducing you to this world. These demonic forces are everywhere killing us spiritually.

We shut down the Holy Spirit more then our world (in general). So we need to seperate from this (human made) world which presents us things that are unnatural. Can we eat unclean meat and visit church while thinking we obey His Word? Can we wear clothes being made through child labor because it makes our politicians richer where many preachers pray for in service? We are more entangled by sin then we dare to imagine. That’s why they try to catch our minds constantly and divert us from the seriousness of it all. If we could truly see what we as species were doing, it would shock 90 procent to its core.

I see the value in what you are saying and it's more than amazing if you have found breakthrough by such means but it is not a formula (I'm sure you would know this already) The ability to even fast for a few days, to a week to 20, 30, 40 days is beyond I would presume 90% of people or more, let alone locking yourself away to do such things, or retreating to a secluded location.

 

[awelight]

You said: When are we conformed to his image ? its not when we believed.

I think you have completely misread this verse. Let's look at it again:

Rom 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:

This verse clearly says that the believer is "foreordained" to be confirmed to the image.... Foreordination, goes back to the eternal decree of God. Just like foreknowledge. Thus, since it is God who foreordains, nothing can stop it. Being completely conformed is future yet to the believer, just as glorified is but not so with God. Once God decrees something, it is as if it is already done, from His perspective.

But if you are having trouble with that one, then let's try this:

2Pet 1:10-11 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

 

[throughfaith]

Are you saying you are conformed to his image now ?

 

[reneweddaybyday]

Let Scripture answer, from our Lord's High Priestly prayer:

John 17:11-17 And I am no more in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one, even as we are. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.

What we can learn from this prayer, to help us be separated from the world:

1) That believers are physically in the world.
2) That our Lord desired us to be one in mind, as He was one in mind with the Father.
3) That we have been given His Word.
4) Because of His Word and the believers witnessing, the believer is hated by this world, just as Christ was hated in His day of ministry. Therefore, being loved by the world is not a good sign of ones faithful walk. We should always HONOR God and not be man pleasers.
5) Believers are not of the world. They don't act like them, they don't think like them and want no part in them, other than to see if God has done something for them.
6) Jesus Christ is no longer bodily in the world.
7) We should be kept and be keeping ourselves away from evil.
8) Believers are sanctified in the Truth of God's Holy Word. The word "sanctified" means to "set apart for Truth", in this context, v.17.

Therefore, point number 8 is the clearest reason as to our being set apart. We should come out of the world and separate ourselves to Truth. We can not please Him by concerning ourselves with the physical or fleshly things, we Honor Him through the spiritual things, by worshiping Him in Spirit and Truth. Then going out into the world and defending this Truth.

I believe the moment we are born again, God begins His work in our hearts and little by little what He works in us starts to shine through.

As God continues to work in us, things we used to enjoy just do not hold as much interest for us. We begin to notice that we are drawn away from the Lord when we do stuff we used to like to do. Who wants to leave the Lord, where we have complete joy and contentment ... Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11).

I love the verse in Romans 6 ... What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? ... there is no fruit when we turn from God to the temporary pleasures of this world.

As our relationship with God grows deeper, we start to recognize the deceitful lusts and we hold firm to God.


James 4:7-8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.


2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations ...

 

[Fundamental]

I see the value in what you are saying and it's more than amazing if you have found breakthrough by such means but it is not a formula (I'm sure you would know this already) The ability to even fast for a few days, to a week to 20, 30, 40 days is beyond I would presume 90% of people or more, let alone locking yourself away to do such things, or retreating to a secluded location.

But how will one attain a breakthrough if he keeps following this world? How can one get a breakthrough if one does not break the cycle? New habbits are born after 40 days of repitition. So 40 days utter fine tining with our Lord is really helpful. And when one falls on its way, don’t give up. Failing is an essential part in the learning proces. No fails no succeses.

 

[breno785au]

But how will one attain a breakthrough if he keeps following this world? How can one get a breakthrough if one does not break the cycle? New habbits are born after 40 days of repitition. So 40 days utter fine tining with our Lord is really helpful. And when one falls on its way, don’t give up. Failing is an essential part in the learning proces. No fails no succeses.

I do not believe that fasting for any length of time is an indication of separation from the world. I have known people who do lengthy fasts (yes, multiple 40 days) and still walk out with the same issues as they returned. I believe they trusted in their ability to do such things, rather than God (to an extent).

 

[Fundamental]

I do not believe that fasting for any length of time is an indication of separation from the world. I have known people who do lengthy fasts (yes, multiple 40 days) and still walk out with the same issues as they returned. I believe they trusted in their ability to do such things, rather than God (to an extent).

Me too. I get always drawn back into this world. But at least one cleans the body each year to present it as Holy Sacrifice to the Lord again. It’s not about what we think want or achieve... It’s all in His strenght and a course He reveals. You must obey and follow the Holy Ghost.

Last year I failed massive and even walked mad out of church not going for months. But as I fell, it revealed my ideological problems and I knew what needed to be fixed to get my mind clean from that ideology.
Each His own ways but for me personally I know no better way then to completely disconnect. We should not take 40 days too literal, it is a period of time where we show our obedience to God and present Him our body and mind. He wants us to drink and eat but maybe one should think twice what to eat and drink during that period.

Have you also read what fasting means to me? Praying doesn’t work without faith either. God speaks strong language if we’d simply open up to Him. But opening up to Him can’t be done fully after being under stress due to worldly conditions and situations. We get closer by obeying His Word. But obeying God is not to be taken lightly. It’s on each plate, each product, each thought. The closer I get to God, the more material things and human ideology is sickening me.
There might become a point where I completely disconnect and maintain that lifestyle till death.
Yet I live in a world where I need to invest big money just to become self sustaining and live the simple life.

This world society is doing it without God and it’s heading for disaster. Yet we buy and consume it while we know it’s killing everything else in the world even humans. Our sins bring forth death everywhere.