Psalms 106:34-36 They did not destroy the peoples, concerning whom the Lord had commanded them, but they mingled with the Gentiles and learned their works; they served their idols, which became a snare to them.
The psalmist recounts Israel's history of rebellion against the Lord, after He delivered them from Egyptian slavery. In today's verses we read the consequences of disobeying God's command to live a life of separation from those who do not believe as we believe. Israel ignored God's command to destroy the peoples of the land He was giving them. Instead they intermingled with them, and ultimately became rebellious idolaters. That same danger exists today, and we see it more and more within Christianity; a refusal to obey God's command not to be unequally yoked to unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). God also warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that "Bad company ruins good morals." Yet, far too many Christians insist on making the world their friend. May I remind us that the world, and the devils, are not our friends? May I also remind us that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4)? We complain that God is not doing enough to turn our country, or this world around, but this is not God's failure; this is our failure. We live in such a way, as the church, that there is not clear difference between us and the unbeliever; then we expect God to punish evil and deliver us from the wickedness of this world, when we, ourselves, refuse to stand up, be separate from the world, and call sin what it is...sin! Let us not forget that we are in the world, but not of the world. We must remember that we are here for the purpose of spreading the Gospel, and serving God for His glory. However if we are going to accomplish this with any kind of success, it is time to come out from among them and be separated unto the Lord...truly separated.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 7:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
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