INTRODUCTION

Separation is good and a necessary aspect of the Christian walk. However, when separation becomes based upon personal conviction rather than scriptural principles, it generally leads to a false sense of holiness and hypocrisy. This takes place when Christians fail to consider the multi-faceted nature of scriptural separation. They readily recognize the scriptural command to separate from the things of this world but fail to see the first component of scriptural separation which encompasses the need for separation to be unto the Lord. The vow of the Nazarite plainly encompasses both aspects of separation. In fact, the primary aspect of biblical separation encompasses separation unto the Lord (Numbers 6:2Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:
See All...). Once a person separates himself unto the Lord, he will naturally separate from those things of this world (Numbers 6:3He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): When King Josiah was yet young, he began to seek after God (2 Chronicles 34:3For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
  See All...; 2 Kings 23:25And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.
  See All...). He eliminated idols, repaired the temple, and read God’s law to the people. Additionally, he wanted nothing to do with wicked things (2 Chronicles 34:33And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Why is it important to understand both aspects of separation? What could be detrimental about only seeing one aspect or the other?
• Which aspect of separation ought to be foremost? Why? What will happen if the principles of separation are sought in the wrong order of importance?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord for balance in your separation.
• Ask God to help you first separate yourself unto Him.

HYMN

Take Time to Be Holy

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