Not far from our former home in Avondale flows the Agua Fria River. I have, on many occasions, observed people fishing from its banks, wondering if the fish were good to eat.
That question was answered for me when warning signs were posted. In bold, red letters, each sign states: “Warning! Do not eat the fish taken from these waters! Fish may be contaminated with hazardous toxins!”
The warning was sufficient for me, because I did not knowingly want to poison myself and quite possibly endanger my life. We live in a society that produces an abundance of hazardous waste. There has been much heated argument and controversy over the dumping of these waste materials because of the possible contamination of our soil and water supply. Government agencies have been established to control the disposal of these contaminants and protect us. Most of us agree that this is good, because we desire to live in a world free from danger.
Stop for a moment and think of the spiritual application. James in his epistle exhorted the believer to “… keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1: 27) The word ‘unspotted’ is translated as ‘uncontaminated or influenced by.’ As God’s chosen people, were called out, sanctified by his spirit and set apart from worldly things. And yet, though God has separated us unto himself, we’re also to separate ourselves and to God.
In Dr. Henrietta Mears book “What the Bible is All About,” she speaks of the problem facing the believers at Corinth. Given to carnality and overcome by worldliness, she described them in this fashion.
“The wonderful church at Corinth, the brilliant jewel in the crown of Paul’s labor, was failing. It was all because the worldliness of the city had gotten within the walls. It was all right for the church to be in Corinth, but it was fatal when Corinth got into the church. It is a glorious sight to see a ship launched into the sea, but it is a tragedy when the sea gets into the ship.”
As we walk through this world on our pilgrim’s journey, there is no question that we live in the world. We buy, sell and trade, as everyone else does. But we must be mindful of the fact that even though we live in this world, we’re not of the world. Our very bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit; Therefore, we must glorify God by living lives that are separated unto the Spirit within.
Spiritual separation is not being a separatist who shuns the rest of the world and lives in a commune or cave. Spiritual separation is an attitude of the heart to walk and live in holiness before God.
Only then can God be truly glorified through our lives.
Jerry L. Dunn is pastor of Oak Street Baptist Church, Kingman
