２０２５年６月１日～約１年間かけ、キリスト教入門・神学コースで学んでいきたいと思います。只毎回集いたいのに集えない学びたいけど１年間を通すとなれば～？？？と思う方朗報です！この度HPから見る・学ぶことが可能になりました。数年後あ！こんな話してたよねって振り返えり誰かの力になることもあると思います。

 　  27. The Christian's Separation

　　　　　　　　　　　　(from the world and sin)

    27. The Christian's Separation (from the world and sin)

John 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 

16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 

19  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 

Jesus lived a separated life. He did not sin. He spent time with sinners to show them love and grace but He did not participate in their sin. He is telling His Father in this prayer that just as He seperated Himself from the sins of the world, so must His disciples keep themselves from evil through the truth of God's Word. We must live in this physical world for a season but we don't have to be “of the world” or “worldly minded” We can be holy, righteous and separated unto God and His purposes.

The world    κόσμος - kosmos     Used 187 times in NT. Means orderly arrangement, decoration,                        adornment. A complicated system that tries to exist without God

1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 

We live in a fallen world. Mankind has turned away from God's law and plan and is living his life how he wants to live. People as a general rule are living according to the lusts of the flesh.

Many worldly entertainments are full of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

•        Social media-  People posting about their new car, new clothes, vacations, fancy meals etc. This is not God's way, this is not humility or deep spirituality but is based on pride and creates  coveteousness, rivalry, fakery and materialism. Social media also creates a culture based on possessions and outward appearance rather than character and faith and truth.

•        Short videos- Short videos catch the eye and are highly addictive. How many hours do people waste scrolling through dozens of videos? Are these helpful to you spiritually, physically or mentally? Many times the content must involve outrageous behavior or immorality or violence in order to be a popular post.

•        Movies- Most movies are for entertainment purposes only and are at best a waste of time and a real distraction from Bible reading and prayer. At worst, movies involve violence, immorality, the LGBTQ agenda, evolution, murder, suicide, divorce, robbery, bad language, witch craft (Harry Potter), and a worldview that is contrary to everything the Bible teaches.

•        Television- Why do people have television? What is it that causes families to place a large expensive flatscreen in the most prominent place in the house and gather around it in rapt attention for hours at a time? Why is it that a completely unnecessary appliance is seen as such a vital element of the household? Our BMC church has taken a strong stand against the television ever since our beginning days in 1955. Our stance of total abstinence has been validated again and again as we see the devastating influence of the television on family life, on brain development in children, on social interaction, on overall health, on morals, and of course on a person's walk with God. How is that for many Christians it seems harder to give up their TV than it was to give up their Buddhist godshelf? Is it because TV is a modern idol?

May God deliver every earnest Christian from the dangerous whirlpool and quicksand of the entertainment use of the smartphone, internet and technology!

An inward and outward separation from the world

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

God has given us the standard – holiness, and He has given us the method- sanctification by the Spirit. God takes away our sins at salvation and our nature of sin when He fully dwells in us and sanctifies us. It is then our privilege to walk closely to God and keep His smile on our life.

     When we get saved, we join a new family, we embrace new beliefs and we turn our back on every known sin in our life. We may have to make major changes in our life such as making restitution for past wrongs, choosing to follow God over family, breaking ties with worldly friends, throwing away anything in our wardrobe or possessions that is not pleasing to God.

The Bible makes it very clear that our white robes of salvation are to be “unspotted by the world”

There may be sin and worldliness all around us but we do not have to get involved.

The following is a list of things that it would be good for us to avoid so we can stay pure and holy before God.

•        Using slang words or “bad words” -   Our communication should be honorable to God.

•        Use of alcohol – Alchohol has destroyed countless individuals, homes and finances.

•        Use of tabacco – This is a dirty and unhealthy habit from which God can set us free!

•        Illegal drugs – These warp the mind and enslave the soul.

•        Quarreling, gossiping and suing a fellow Christian unscripturally    I Cor 6:1-8

•   Dishonesty, lying and entering into debt with no plan to repay.

•        Proud or immodest clothing styles -  Does our clothing style draw attention to us? Is it flashy, worldly, or immodest? Christian men and women should dress neatly and modestly.

•        Women wearing pants – Ladies are to dress in a ladylike way and pants cause a woman to either look manlike or immodest.

•        Make up – You are beautiful to God. Don't follow the worldly trends of painting your face.

•        Long hair on men – This can be a sign of rebellion against God and is also not natural.

•        Short hair on women – Even though millions of worldly women choose to cut their hair, the Bible standard of not cutting your hair and letting it grow long still stands.

•        Wearing of any kind of jewelry – Jewelry promotes the pride of life and the lust of the eyes.

•        Worldly music – You become what you listen to. Music was designed by God to express the feelings of our soul. Music is best used to lift the soul in worship to God. Any music that fills the mind with shallow or worldly thoughts or that feeds the lusts of the flesh should be avoided. Is the music you listen to pleasing and honoring to God?

•        Worldly dancing – Almost every kind of dance that this world offers promotes the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

•        Gambling– A waste of time and money and leads to many sins (Greed, love of money etc )

•        Videogames – Highly addictive and may involve shooting, killing, robbery etc.

     To be sure there are probably many more things that could be added to this list but our aim is not to list every danger or sin that exists but to give you a list of things that earnest and holy Christians have been avoiding for generations. These are all things that have been around for decades and insightful and Spirit-led Christians have studied God's Word and found all of these practices to be contrary to God's holy will for our lives.

     It is also very important for each one of us to live so close to God and so in tune with His Word and His will that we can spot new dangers and pitfalls that the Devil will try to bring into our life.

     The Bible promises us that the Holy Spirit will “guide us into all truth” and help us to know what is right and what is wrong. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and if we follow His prompts and direction, we will be able to keep our garments clean and “unspotted from the world.”