Ephesians 5:1-16 says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

In England we have a state church called the Church of England. For many years the state has imposed its will on the Church of England and watered down the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The problem with a country having a state church is that the governing bodies of the state can force and put pressure on the Church to change. We see that in England today. The Gospel preached in the Anglican Church is a politically correct message that does not call sinners to repentance. Over the years the established Church in England has changed to fit the age we live in and thus fallen away from true biblical doctrine. The Church of England has accepted women bishops and other ungodly doctrines. The Church of England has no biblical grounds for accepting female bishops or women in positions of leadership. The Bible clearly states in 1 Timothy 3 that a Bishop must be “the husband of one wife.” This means that a Bishop must be a male who is married only once. A Bishop does not have to be married, but if he is married, he is only to marry once at any one time.

The reason I bring this up is this. Firstly, in this country people view the Church of England as a Christian church. This is a very dangerous view in England as the power of the state has impacted greatly on our citizens. In order to have a belief that is Christian it must come from the Word of God. If our view comes from anything outside of the Bible, it does not have the approval of God. Now by reading this statement you will be forgiven for thinking that I am saying that the Church of England is not a Christian Church. However, I am not saying that. What I am saying is that the Church of England promotes doctrine and practices that are not Christian in nature. For example, the approval now for same-sex relationships. There are within the Church of England many godly men and women who seek to worship and serve Christ faithfully.

2 Corinthians 6:11-18 says, “Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections. Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will welcome you. “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.”

Biblical separation is the belief realising that God has called us out of the world and into His purity amid a sinful world. God has ordained that His children should not involve themselves in ungodly acts but rather they are to retain a godly standard of behavior and virtue. Daniel is a good example of this. Daniel 1:8 says, “But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.” A modern example of the separation that Daniel showed us would be to decline an invitation to a party where drunkenness and sin is promoted and to avoid areas were ungodliness prevails. This wise decision would be to the glory of God as you would be abstaining from the appearance of evil as commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:22. We ought to put on Christ and not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Romans 13:13 teaches us, “Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.”

In 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 the Lord gives us the command to be separate and to not touch the unclean thing. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are to separate from evil and evil doers. Paul begins by saying to Christians be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, this applies to all parts of life such as marriage and friendships. There can be no righteousness in unrighteous company and there is no light in the darkness of sinfulness. There is no agreement with Christ and the Devil. The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said evil company corrupts good habits. Paul begins with the words, “do not be deceived”. This clearly indicates that there are many that are deceived about this matter.

The Church is a called-out assembly of God’s people. The true Church of Christ must also be separate from false teachers and false man-made religion. The Church must rebuke falsehood and not compromise to suit the modern politically correct world. We must separate from cults and those who promote unbiblical doctrine, such as the Church of Rome. The true Church of God should separate from those who deny fundamental doctrines of Holy Scripture. Such as the deity of Christ, the finished work of Christ, salvation by faith through grace, and other doctrines that are not supported in Holy Writ. The true Church is made up of everyone who trusts in Christ alone for their salvation and is wholly depending on Christ’s shed blood as the only payment for their sin. Those who are of the true Church must also display fruit of the spirit such as repentance.

Obeying the biblical teaching of separation does not mean we do not have any contact with unbelievers. We should befriend them without taking part of their sinfulness. Jesus was called a friend of publicans and sinners in Luke 7:34. Followers of Christ are to be in the world but not of the world. The Book of Proverbs has some wise words of wisdom on this subject. Read Proverbs 12:26, 13:20, 22:24 and 24:21.

The Word of God warns against those who call good evil and evil good. There is much woe unto those who partake in sinful deeds against God. The believer will do well to remember Titus 3:9-11, turn to that passage in your Bible and read it for yourself.

Being separate from the world and evil is both God-honouring and for our own good. We ought to live as followers of Christ and not followers of the world. Romans 12:1-2 says, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”