Walk In Newness of Life Pt. 12 Two paths to take: Separation or Worldliness.

Abraham's faith led to a God honoring choice.

Genesis 13:7  And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8) And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9) Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. 

Moses was the Holy Spirit inspired author of Genesis through Deuteronomy. He gave us a glimpse into Abraham's character being shaped by God in this text. Remember, that Abraham assumed responsibility for his nephew Lot, and up to this point, they had remained together throughout their earthly pilgrimage. Like Abraham, Lot also had many livestock and his workers got into conflict with Abraham's workers, probably squabbling over pasture land and water resources. 

Abraham demonstrated some maturity in this account because he suggested that they part ways, and he graciously allowed Lot to choose the land that he wanted first. 

Lot's choice dishonored God. 

Genesis 13:10-13  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11) Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12) Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13) But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. 

Lot looked up and saw the well watered plain of Jordan. The idea here is that the land nearby would readily support all of his herd because it was flatter land, easier to manage the livestock and there was an abundant supply of water. We could say that Lot took the easy path, but taking the "path of least resistance" does not mean we are pleasing God in the process. 

The Spirit of God wanted us to know that the men of Sodom and Gomorrah were excessively wicked people. There can be no doubt that Lot knew about the evil reputation of those two communities and yet he still "pitched his tent toward Sodom." 

This is the idea that Lot was not willing to turn away from their wickedness by separating himself from sinners. Rather it is as if he willingly tolerated evil because he had ready access to grazing lands and water. He followed his fleshly appetite for pursuing a life of ease and convenience in a very wicked environment.

Lot also had faith in Jehovah. 

2 Peter 2:6-8 6  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7) And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8)  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 

So Lot chose to travel eastward and Abraham remained in the land of Canaan. The apostle Peter gave us details about the life of Lot and he mentioned how God destroyed both Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone because of their sins. Notice how Peter described Lot. Abraham's nephew was a "righteous" man with a "righteous" soul. This means that Lot believed and had saving faith. 

However, Lot also lived a very compromised life. He was "vexed" with the filthy actions of those wicked people. The word "vexed" means that the incessant sinning by the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, oppressed the soul of Lot and he become spiritually exhausted while living in their midst. 

He was also "vexed" by hearing and seeing their wickedness day in and day out. The word translated "vexed" in verse 8, is a different word. It means Lot was grievously tormented in body and soul by pervasive wickedness. It is a word that refers to applying torture to someone. It is the idea of trying to sail against very strong headwinds. 

Vexation of soul is what happens to a believer living for the pleasures of this life in a culture filled with depravity and debauchery. Such a life will tear you down, wear you down, grind you down and reduce you to being an ineffective servant of God. Lot had a very poor testimony even though he was a believer in Jehovah.  

By faith Abraham separated himself from a godless culture. 

Genesis 13:12  Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 

This detail is very important for two main reasons. 

First, Jehovah promised to give Abraham's seed all of the land of Canaan, so Abraham stayed in the promised land choosing to obey God by faith. He was willing to wait for clear direction and guidance from Jehovah, rather than taking the easy path, like he did in choosing to "go down into Egypt."  He was willing to choose the more difficult path rather than seeking the easy way like Lot did. 

Second, this detail is important because Abraham practiced Biblical separation from sinful things and wicked people. 

Biblical Separation Glorifies God!

2 Corinthians 6:14-18  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15)  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

This is the preeminent New Testament text on the doctrine of Biblical separation. Paul wrote to a troubled, carnal church that had many sin issues. Biblical separation is focused on the glory and holiness of our God. The Spirit of God lives in the born again believer, making our body His temple.  We need to really learn and live by this truth because it will dramatically change how we think and act.

This text has five contrasts between that which is holy and that which is unholy. It also has three imperatives or commands from God that we must hear and heed. 

First, notice that Paul wrote to born again believers in Jesus Christ. He told us do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. This is the idea of a believer not being joined together with those who reject the gospel. We cannot walk side by side with them because we have a heavenly calling and are followers of God whereas, they are following the Devil on a path that leads to hell. 

Next, Paul asks "What fellowship hath  righteousness with unrighteousness?" The answer is none at all. The word "righteousness" refers to those who are born again and regenerated by God's Spirit, and who have been fully justified by God and are now walking in newness of life. The word "unrighteousness" refers to those who view God's holy law with contempt and who choose to violate His holy commandments. 

1 John 1:5-7  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6)  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

The apostle then asked "What communion hath light with darkness?" Again, the answer is none at all. The word "communion" is used to describe the fellowship of born again believers with each other, through baptism into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. Those who are born again are now children of "light" and are commanded to "walk in the light." Light and darkness are true opposites and so it is with a believer and an unbeliever. We cannot and must not seek the same close companionship with unbelievers that we enjoy with those who are members of the body of Christ. 

Paul's next question was "What concord hath Christ with Belial?" The answer is none at all. The word "concord" means being in agreement or united together. Christ cannot be in agreement or joined with Belial. The name "Belial" is another name for Satan and it means worthless and wicked. The idea is that we are joined by God's Spirit to Jesus Christ and that Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). Therefore, we cannot be united with or in agreement with the Devil.

The apostle asked "What part hath he that believeth with an infidel?" and again, the answer is none. The believer is on a new path, with a new destination and new direction in order to live a new life in Christ. We have nothing in common with those who are unbelievers. 

Paul's last question is "What agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" and the final answer is no agreement whatsoever. Remember, that in the ancient world, stunningly beautiful Greek  architecture surrounded them. Pagan temples were lavish, full of pleasing symmetry and constructed with expensive materials. The contrast is that Christ lives in us, and our body is now God's temple. Therefore, we cannot attend any pagan temple or take part in false religious systems. 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

Here are the last two imperatives in this text. "Come out" and "be ye separate." God called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. He called us out of the world and into His kingdom. He called us to walk in newness of life not in the lusts of our flesh. 

The command "come out" means to escape to safety, to flee from something or to turn your back on your old life. The command to "be ye separate" means to mark off by boundaries so that you do not pass over the line to those who are rejecting Christ.  It means to limit or restrict our interactions with children of the devil. 

This connects to a believer living as the light of the world shining God's word and the gospel to those who are lost. It connects to a believer living with a testimony of Godliness and holiness in order to be the salt of the earth that slows down the decaying processes of sin (Matthew 5:13-16).   

Lot compromised his testimony for God and his light did not shine brightly as a witness, nor was he willing to share God's truth to expose their sins. Lot compromised his testimony because he failed to separate himself from the culture and from the dominion of the Devil.   

Abraham was blessed by God.

Genesis 13:14-18  And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15  For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16  And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17  Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 18  Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. 

Abraham continued walking in steps of faith by separating himself from a wicked and perverse culture, shunning the easy path in order to walk in newness of life with God. 

Notice what happened after Abraham separated from Lot. Jehovah spoke to him and showed him all of the good land that He was going to give to Abraham. God then blessed Abraham again telling him that He would multiply his seed so that they would be like the dust of the earth. 

Abraham's response? He gathered his belongings and traveled father into the promised land. He came to Hebron and built an altar and worshipped God!

Thoughts to Ponder...

The contrast between Lot and Abraham is a powerful lesson for each born again believer to learn and apply. Lot took the easy path and lived for the world. His testimony was seriously compromised and he dishonored God with his choice. 

Abraham graciously allowed Lot to choose his direction knowing that he would go in the opposite direction. Abraham separated himself from Sodom, Gomorrah and the easy path because he discerned that this choice would not honor God. He had learned a valuable lesson about waiting on the Lord, instead of doing what he thought was right and practical. 

It is a reality that many professing Christians today are living a life like Lot did. May our Lord convict our hearts so that we truly seek to live as salt and light in this present evil world. May He grant us His strength to separate ourselves from ungodliness even if that means separating from  our family, or finding new jobs and new friends, or leaving a dead church, or moving somewhere else. God's glory is at stake and we must choose to honor Him no matter the cost.    

May we also love the lost as Christ did, having pity for them because they cannot stop sinning. We separate ourselves from them in terms of fellowship and companionship, but we keep the doors open to them so that we might be faithful witnesses for our Lord. 

A lot of lost people are very unnerved by what is going on in the world today. They sense something is wrong and that something is missing in their lives. We have the truth that they need and I pray that we seek to share it as often as we can. 

Bob