The Bible teaches a twofold separation. First, we are to be separated from unbelievers in careless or harmful relationships. The Bible tells us that he who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm, and also that bad company corrupts good behavior. So we must be wise. Secondly, and far more importantly, is that we are to be separated in the lives we live. We are to live differently than the world. To some extent, this separation will produce the first. And the church has done a terrible job in being separated in this sense.

I’m not suggesting that we do not have the right and responsibility to share Christ with those around us. I’m contending that for most of us, the way we share Christ is very different than running through the “Four Laws” with them.

As far as I can tell, nothing in the Bible tells individual believers to be evangelists. But I do see instructions to believers individually to live godly lives publicly, then answer questions and explain the gospel appropriately (1 Peter 3:14-17, Colossians 4:5-6, Matthew 5:16).

but i disagree with your statement that “We are not all called to be missionaries in that sense, though….be ready and willing to answer questions about our faith”. although not everyone will go to another country to preach the gospel, i believe that it is our right and our promise as believers to see the power of god manifest around us. through the word of god dwelling richly in us and through the testimony of our life, for many people to be convicted in their hearts and turn to the lord.

of course, there are probably many people who instead of getting excited about god by these things, because of a hard heart, will hate us. and jesus said that the world would hate us. but i do think it’s a bit defeating to say (and i’m not sure this is exactly what you were saying) that not all people are really called to have authority on their words and lives and for people around them to get saved and discipled.

anyway, cool blog, be back soon…

I always read your posts. They are refreshing, especially compared to most of what I get mixed up in. :-)

You are right to rephrase my statement on actions, as I assuming that we are walking perfectly all the time, and I don’t to be sure.

I am also thinking of Hebrews 7:26-28 in terms of Spurgeon’s quote. He is separate in a way that we can never be, yet he was unjustifiably called called a winebibber and a glutton. Unfortunately you are right as we too often imbibe and overeat in our attempts to reach out.

Jeff, I think the hope that we have will produce many tangible differences in our lives as compared to the world. It’s my opinion that as we actively seek to obey Christ, it ought to produce a radically different way of living. IMHO, we too often shortchange this and are satisfied with what amounts to cheerfulness and dynamic personalities.

Chris, I agree with you – but too often (virtually always, I think) we wind up acting just like the world in all the significant ways. In an earlier post, I quoted Spurgeon who said of Christ “He was ‘holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners.’ In one sense, no one mixed with sinners so completely as He did when, like a physician, He went among them healing His patients; but, in another sense, there was a gulf fixed between the men of the world and the Saviour, which He never essayed to cross, and which they could not cross to defile Him.”

Unfortunately, when I “mix with sinners”, it’s because of a lack of holiness. I’m careless and worldly, not missional.

I would also generalize your statement “our subsequent actions are proof of our holiness” to say that our holiness ought to produce a way of life that is separate or different from the world, especially since the world is largely ruled by the devil.

We are holy(set apart) because HE is holy (set apart) and He has called us and placed His name upon us. He makes us holy.
The blood of Christ separates us from the world, and our subsequent actions are proof of our holiness. These actions do not make us holy.
We are separate even when we go into all that is corupted and preach the Word and offer the example of behavior befitting the children of the light.