There is a tough issue that is brought out in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians. Since it’s also something Jesus spoke of, I think maybe we should give it some attention.
It’s the principle of separation. As a believer, you have to learn that there is a time when you will need to separate from someone. Most of us have enough problems with our own weaknesses, and when you stay around people who do not share your priorities, you will be more likely to go down to their level than the opposite. Separation is the principle of establishing priorities in your life based on what the Word of God says, and applying these to your relationships in life.
There are really two parts to separation. One is mental, the other physical. Mental separation is simply not letting someone else’s sins or antagonism become your problem. No one is worth you losing your relationship with God! Look what Jesus said:
Matthew 10:34-38
34 "Do not think
that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 "For I came
to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A
DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;
36 and A MAN'S
ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. (These are certainly examples of times when you CANNOT physically
separate from someone. Jesus offers the
solution next:)
37 "He who loves
father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and
he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
38 "And he who
does not take his cross and follow after Me is not
worthy of Me.
To mentally separate is simply to concentrate on your priorities. Is the relationship more important than your relationship with Jesus Christ? When you have a situation where you cannot physically separate, you switch from personal love (where you love someone because of their attributes) to impersonal love (where you love someone because of God’s character in you.) There are certainly relationships that you cannot physically separate from (like marriage, parents, children, etc.) Of course, there are obvious exceptions, as in cases of abuse, where we should physically separate.
However, there are other times when we are commanded to actually physically separate from someone. Sometimes that is the only way to maintain your priorities and remain in the plan of God. Look what Paul says:
2 Thessalonians 3:14
14 If anyone does not
obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do
not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame.
This doesn’t mean that you don’t hang around with anyone that sins. We’d be stuck by ourselves forever! It speaks of one who does not keep or treasure the principles of the word of God.
There are other commands related to separation from unbelievers.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
14 Do not be bound
together with unbelievers; for what partnership have
righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
15 Or what harmony
has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
16 Or what agreement
has the
"I WILL DWELL IN
THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR
GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
17 "Therefore, COME
OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord.
"AND DO NOT
TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome
you.
1 Peter 4:3-4
3 For
the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire
of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness,
carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.
There comes a time in the growing believer’s life when he must make that decision to be separate from the crowd that leads him in the wrong direction. Don’t we have enough trouble sticking with the plan of God without subjecting ourselves to extra temptation?
Don’t forget the warning:
Proverbs 13:20
20 He who walks with
wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.