A Seperate People

[pianoman]

I have a great issue with some of the people that think this means separation from people in the world. Consider the following things.

If Jesus had kept separate like many do now days, he would have reached no one.

You have heard the expression, "Swears like a sailor" Hmmm, were not Peter and Andrew sailors/fishermen. Certainly they did not catch fish from a wagon or from the shore. They were coarse sailors.

We are following Jesus, yet are we truly following his example? Do we go to places where sinners of great degree are? I would have to say that not many do. Is that following Jesus' example?

I am not judging here, simply making a point. What would be wrong with a professing person going out to a night club to hear a fellow professing person, performing, or doesn't that happen? What would happen if a well known musician professed? Should they quit their job?

Didn't Jesus tell the soldiers to be content with their wages, not quit your job, I don't like what you do?

We all want people to come to Gospel meetings, but I think we pick out the best candidates. Again, not what Jesus did.

Do any of you think that Jesus never heard a coarse remark or a swear word. I am certain he did in the crowds he was in.

Are we so unlike our Lord, and so fragile in our faith that we can not go to a place that may not be the most comfortable to us, in order to "show our light" unto a lost world.

This is our job as Christians, not to preach, but to live our lives out as an example.

Does this mean that we are supposed to hang out in seedy places, no, but when we see someone that is down and out, we call them bums and derelicts, and pass them by.

How do I know this? I was sitting in a smoking shack that the workers used to drive by, and not stop to talk to us.

The workers that I contacted when I left this place, were telling me about seeing the men in the shack smoking. Where else are you going to find better candidates for the kingdom.

Did not Jesus eat with "publicans and sinners"? Are we better than the Master? Did he not wash the disciples feet.

Jeff Thayer spoke at a special meeting about this and said that Jesus knew that he was washing the feet of a Betrayer, a Denier, and ten Deserters.

I would like all that read this, to make some comment.

I need to understand why we don't follow Jesus in keeping things in order.

We need to be separate in spirit, but how can people see Light shine when it is hid under the bushel basket?

This Post is not for judgment or criticism.

This may be a wake up call for some.

Being born and raised in the fellowship is sometimes a handicap. We don't know the world, and fear what we don't know.

I am here as a former heroin addict, and one that has been in all of the low places, and know that Jesus came more for me, than your co-worker that is a really nice guy/gal if only they professed.

Nice people don't feel their need as much as us blatant sinners do.

I suggest you expand your circle, reach out to those that are down and out, and don't preach, just live and invite.

If you are ashamed to be seen with them, will not the Lord say, "Depart from me, I know you not"? When did we see someone in prison, when did we see someone hungry, when did we see need?

My dear friends, this is of the utmost importance in our lives as Christians, and God's people.

Failure here may cost us eternal riches.

We must keep separate from the sin in the world, but not the sinners in that sin. How is that possible?

I am not the wisest man here, but would like to relate my experiences, and show that even those in dire circumstances need Jesus more than good people.

I hope this will spark a new desire within to reach out to those you feel are totally lost. "Judge not lest ye be judged"

We don't know hearts, and if an act of kindness proves to lead a real sinner to God, isn't that our purpose, after taking care of our own lives?

I hope all will look upon this as a testimony from an addict that found Christ and became free to serve Him.

I hope this will get much response, if only to respond why you feel one way or the other.

We are here to edify, and this is edification of the spirit.

May we always follow Jesus in our daily walk.................Dale

[perhaps]

Yes, I agree, God wants a seperated people.
'come out from amoung them, and be ye seperate' perhaps if we mingle too much with the worldly pleasures, we will again fall into temptations?

thanks for the help, Dale!

[pianoman]

I can promise that the world has nothing that even can touch the surface of what God gives us here on earth.

Many born and raised in the fellowship have never tasted of the "pleasures" of the world.

I can tell you, that the "pleasures" of the world are not pleasures at all. If someone wants to know about alcohol, and drinking, let them get really drunk and violently ill.

Take them to a morgue, and see a young person, dead from a drug overdose.

Let them see a drunk driving crash site, with lots of fatalities.

That is fun! That is what things of the world do. We need to keep separate from those things.

That does not mean we need to keep separate from the people that are caught in these snares.

If I have a bad spirit, would I choose to pass along my experience here? I just want all to realize that we have our "missions" like workers, and we need to look at the fields that have been sown, and go forth there and seek ripe fruit.

What is ripe fruit? God will judge that, and when we try, we will get human results.

If you see a homeless person, make an effort to talk to that person, and give them a couple of dollars, but don't stop there. Take an interest in their life. Tell them that someone cares.

This is what Jesus did (not giving money, but healing) and he didn't just stay with his followers.

If being close to these things causes temptation, are we fully delivered? Maybe we need to have more faith.

Another question is, where did his followers come from?

Matthew, the tax collector, was a Jew, hired by Romans to collect taxes from fellow Jews. Most tax collectors were very dishonest and hated. Would we have probably walked right by Matthew and said, "that is not a good prospect for the kingdom".

Again, this is not judgment, this is to try to get responses from others expressing their thoughts on what is posted here.

When we fear to express our minds, we are acting ashamed of Jesus. That is not what He wants.

If we deny or hide Him here, He will deny or hide himself from us in eternity.

I ask again, that all that read, just put any comment. I don't want discord, but if you disagree, please tell me why.

I am learning as all of us should be. Thanks for the space to express...................Dale

[shawnja]

Thank you Dale! I recognize truth when it is spoken! I have always felt and sensed the spirit of Christ to seek out people and situations that are uncomfortable or unfamiliar to a person who might be raised in truth. That is because he was perfect and heaven sent. I see and have questioned the workers way of playing it safe by staying among the friends, holding meetings in town halls or friends homes and skirting the "world" in general. However as I have grown older and watched other ministries over reach into insincere pools, I have begun to see this more clearly!
1) There is a standard that is kept as far as place, manner and organization that I must trust is God guided
2) It is us who live among the various situations that can bring people to the Christ standard that can be revealed.
I am reminded of that verse that say something to the effect that "He that wareth entangeth himself not with the things of this word." and some peoples place is to stay out of the entanglement. Just my thoughts. SJB

[shawnja]

Sorry! That was Thank you piano man.

[eternally]

As I read the posts, I was reminded of Jn 17:15 -Jesus speaking '...I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil.' Of course, in this context he was speaking of his disciples..however, in vs 20 Jesus says '...Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.' this means us, as converts today. My first 10 years were spent in 4 different foster homes, my parents were alcoholics, my mother gave me up to the State, I was a ward of the court until I was 15. My 4th foster home was with a professing family. I made my choice when I was 11. But, I had a lot of baggage in my brain, which even today, continues to plague me. So when it comes to keeping separate from the world, I have issues. This does not mean that I go to bars and drink and smoke, etc..although, I did for a time. For me to drink and smoke wasn't for pleasure, these were coping tools I needed and relied on to deal with my demons. Currently, due to medications, I am doing well, and I no longer smoke or drink excessively, as before. As for going into the 'highways and byways to seek those who could be candidates for the gospel, I admit I am reluctant to do this due to my own personal reasons. Having said this, I do have a lot of empathy for all people in the world, if someone needed help, I could not walk away. But, I also realize that we can be helpful in praying that the Lord of the Harvest will choose and and send out more laborers. Let us have hearts full of love for all.

[trevor bereck]

I think you could wrap it up by being guided by God.

[helen]

Well, I have a question for you. How did you come to know truth, being an ex heroine addict? Did some friends come to an alley and find you and bring you out? Or did you go somewhere and you met some friends? or some workers? Don't take it the wrong way, but you say many interesting things, but you almost sound a bit bitter that maybe no one came to find you? I'm just curious. As for me, I came to truth from the world too. Different part of the world than you came from, but it was still a part of the world I am to this day glad and very thankful to be far away from The events that came about in my life were things that caused seeking out in my own heart what I had missing in my life...and that was our Precious Lord and Savior Jesus.
It was in realizing what needs I had that could only be met by Jesus and our Father that got me searching for the right thing. I went to various churches...I was raised Catholic you see, but I came away empty. Tried Methodist Church...same prayers that were said at the Catholic church. Where were those prayers spoken from the heart? Not there!!! Makes one feel terrible when the "minister" is turning pages as he's " reading" his prayer! Turned me right off. So then I got a bible...King James version. It was time to start reading for myself!!! You know before long I found out about truth...ha thru my very husband. too funny. Finally the workers came to visit. and I won't go on because really the rest is history.
My point is I had a need that began to get desperate! The more I searched the closer Jesus came ;D I really don't think we need to go to some of these places. I we were truly feeling our need, we begin our search...the more we search, the closer the Lord gets. Some of those places really can be a danger to us. We can really end up where our feet take us. We have to exercise good judgement. Jesus found those people because they were SEARCHING! He didn't go down to the bowery, or into the ghetto. We live our lives as examples every single day...we never know who's looking on our lives! Why would I want to go to some of those clubs? Hmmm, time nearing for our Lord to come back...to get us...right? Hmmm, if we're not where He expects us to be...think He's going to go there looking for 1 person? nah I think not. Because if we had our vessel full of oil, we'd be so ready and waiting for the bridegroom. That's where I long to be when He returns...because I don't want Him to head home w/o this kid. Thanks for all the thought provoking questions tho. Good for my heart and my mind!!