Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Hebrews 10:10, 14; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 5:1-2
Intro: Welcome. Continuing our 2 Corinthians study, after exploring reconciliation (Ch 5), Paul issues a strong call in 2 Cor 6:14-7:1: Be Separate. This challenging passage urges believers to detach from ungodly influences. What does this mean practically, and how does it relate to pursuing holiness in light of God's grace?
Key Points:
- The Command: Separation (6:14, 17): "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers... Go out from their midst, and be separate... Touch no unclean thing." This isn't about total isolation but avoiding partnerships or alliances that compromise faith and godly living.
- The Rationale: Incompatibility (6:14b-16a): Paul uses stark contrasts: righteousness/lawlessness, light/darkness, Christ/Belial, believer/unbeliever, temple/idols. These things fundamentally do not mix. Compromising partnerships defile God's temple.
- Our Identity: God's Temple & Children (6:16b-18): We are the temple where the living God dwells! Based on OT promises, He says, "I will make my dwelling among them... I will be their God... I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me." This high calling and intimate relationship motivates separation.
- What Separation ISN'T: Not a ban on all contact with unbelievers (Jesus ate with sinners), working secular jobs (Joseph, Daniel), or relevant cultural engagement (Paul).
- What Separation IS (Examples): Primarily warns against binding unions compromising core allegiance/values: marrying unbelievers, entangling business partnerships with unbelievers, participating in idolatrous/pagan worship.
- The Goal: Bringing Holiness to Completion (7:1): "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God."
- Response to Promises: Separation flows from believing God's promises of presence and Fatherhood.
- Cleansing Ourselves: This seems contradictory to grace ("Jesus cleanses us"). It refers to progressive sanctification – actively cooperating with the Spirit to remove sin's defilement from our lives (actions/body & attitudes/spirit).
- Positional vs. Progressive Holiness: We have been made holy definitively in Christ (Heb 10:10). We also actively pursue and strive for practical holiness in daily life (Heb 12:14). It's both gift and pursuit.
- Fear of God: Not slavish dread, but reverential awe and fear of displeasing or grieving our loving Father motivates this pursuit.
Conclusion: Our identity as God's temple and His children calls us to live distinctly, separating from influences that defile or divide our allegiance. Empowered by grace and motivated by God's promises, we actively cleanse ourselves, pursuing practical holiness in cooperation with the Holy Spirit, bringing it "to completion" out of reverence for God.
Call to Action: "Since we have these promises..." Identify any "unequal yokes" or "unclean things" (compromising relationships, habits, influences) in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit for conviction and the grace to separate from them. Choose one area to actively "cleanse" this week, pursuing holiness out of love and reverence for God.
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