"Christian Separatism"

I recently heard the word "Christian Separatism" while in prayer.

And I immediately knew the Lord was bringing my attention the movements that are taking aim at the world and creating tension between followers of Jesus Christ and those who don't yet believe in Him.

The Lord took me to a phenomenal example of how we are to conduct ourselves in the "marketplaces."

“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions,

and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:16-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We are to be in the marketplace making melodious entreaties to “companions.”

We are not to be separate.

We are to be evangelistic.

Not combative...

But friendly.

Not dividers...

But appealers.

Paul wrote:

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more 1 Corinthians 9:19 NKJV

The Oxford Dictionary defines separatism as, “the advocacy or practice of separation of a certain group of people from a larger body on the basis of ethnicity, religion, or gender.”

Elements or signs of a separatist movement include (From Wikipedia):

• The perception that the state can no longer support one's own group or has betrayed their interests.

• Opposition to political decisions.

• Preservation of threatened religious, language or other cultural tradition.

• Emotional resentment and hatred of rival communities.

This is a sign of the last days.

And we must know the difference between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

“For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” ‭‭II Timothy‬ ‭3:2-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We can't allow ourselves to become haughty or proud.

We can't allow ourselves to have a "form of godliness."

We must embrace persecution as Jesus did.

We must be willing to be in the marketplaces as "children" playing the gospel like a flute.

We must be willing to weep when people weep so we can exemplify the compassion of Christ.

We must be as Paul wrote, "a servant to all."

This is regardless of political preference.

It's separate from our cultural preference.

We are called to be like Jesus.

To be human and relate to those who we see as living in sin.

We don't present condemnation.

We present salvation.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17 NKJV

God bless you.