A Balanced View Of Separation

 

Many insist that the Bible doctrine of separation means that Christians must be neutral concerning everything outside of church activities. But the separation taught in the Bible is separation unto God and godly distinctions, conduct, and relationships within society, not isolation from society or neutrality concerning politics and community affairs. (Romans 13:1-7; Ephesians 5:3-11; I Timothy 3:7; I Peter 2:11-12)

Should we interpret the words of Christ in Matthew 6:9-11 to mean that Christ was promoting idleness and laziness? No, a good job should be considered the answer to prayers for basic necessities. Likewise, the exhortation to pray for all men and all that are in authority does not imply neutrality or pacifism concerning politics and community affairs; opportunities to influence society and government and participate in public affairs should be considered answers to such prayers. (I Timothy 2:1-2)

The Christian community is often divided over whether it is important to evangelise or important to impact the culture around us for righteousness. This is not a problem of whether the Bible teaches one or the other, the Bible teaches both: Soul winning is important and it is important to influence the society in which we live for righteousness; it is important to witness and it is important to take a stand on issues. Man is a natural-born sinner, inherently depraved; man is not a sinner because he sins, he sins because he is a sinner. It is not human government that is evil but rather the fallible humans that comprise human government, which is why Christian influence is essential. Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of world. Salt cleanses, purifies, preserves, and makes people thirsty, and light dispels darkness. Christians are supposed to be a cleansing and illuminating influence on society, impacting society and culture for righteousness. (Matthew 5:13-16; I Timothy 2:1-4; I Peter 2:11-12; etc.) Christians should not be dominated by history, trends, culture, or society; they should be shaping these according to God's will. (II Corinthians 10:4-6; I John 5:4)