SEPARATE YOURSELVES

2 CORINTHIANS 6:11-18

2 Corinthians 6:11–18 ESV

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. 14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

In the American Civil War, when the Northern States were pitted against the South in the fight for the freedom of the slaves, the soldiers of both sides had their own distinctive battle-dress. It is said that a man who lived near the border between North and South, uncertain on which side to throw his weight, thought he would escape the fire of both sides by a compromise. He donned the tunic of the Northerners and the trousers of the Southerners. But, in the battle, he found that, instead of being secure, his danger was doubled, for the tunic he wore drew the fire of the Southern army and his trousers the fire of the Northern army.

1- THE PEOPLE’S RESERVATIONS

2 Corinthians 6:11–13 ESV

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

2 Corinthians 7:2 ESV

2 Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one.

PAUL HAD NO RESERVATIONS TOWARD THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH. IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING THEN IT WAS CAUSED BY THEIR RESERVATIONS TOWARD HIM. HE WAS STILL THEIR FATHER IN THE FAITH.

2-THE SEPARATION

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV

14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

1 John 1:6 ESV

6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1 Corinthians 7:39 ESV

39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

3- THE COMPARISON

2 Corinthians 6:15–18 ESV

15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

OUR INHERITANCE IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF AN UNBELIEVER

A TEMPLE CAN NOT SERVE TWO GODS.

Joshua 24:14–15 ESV

14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Joshua 24:19–20 ESV

19 But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.”