1.    Introduction

Separation—for some Christians, this is an irritating word, while others recognize a divine principle in it. Indeed, the principle of separation runs through the whole Bible.

We first learn that separation is associated with devotion to a particular person. We read in 1. Chronicles 12:8: “And of the Gadites, there separated themselves to David in the stronghold in the wilderness mighty men of valor.” The decisive factor is the attraction of our Savior, whose desire is to make us infinitely happy in His fellowship.

Separation also involves setting one apart. In Ezra 6:21, we read of the Jews returning from the Babylonian captivity who had “separated themselves … from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel.” We also find this idea in Leviticus 15:31: “You shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle, which is in their midst.”

At the same time, we learn that separation generally takes place for a specific purpose. It was God Himself who separated His people, Israel, “from the nations that you may be Mine” (Lev. 20:26). He set His servants apart to prepare them for a specific service (Gal. 1:15). Furthermore, separation is in a certain sense a privilege and a distinction bestowed by God. “But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly” (Ps. 4:4).

We also find separation in a negative sense – a form of separation against God’s thoughts.

But let us first concentrate on the separation desired by God. We want to use two Bible verses as a heading for this topic:

“… but as he who has called you is holy, be ye also holy in all your conversation” (1. Pet. 1:15).

“Wherefore come out from the midst of them, and be separated, saith the Lord, and touch not what is unclean, and I will receive you” (2. Cor. 6:17).

2.    Separation – where to?

The most important thing about separation is that we separate ourselves from something to a person – to our Lord. He is the one who irresistibly attracts us – like a magnet attracts iron filings – and gathers us around Himself. We do not separate ourselves to a confession – however valuable it may be. Nor is it a particular doctrine or theology to which we separate ourselves. No, separation is person-oriented – and, therefore, a matter of the heart!

The Old Testament example above makes this aspect very clear. At the time of his rejection, David was so attractive to the Gadites that “mighty men of valor” separated themselves from him. David beautifully points us to the Lord Jesus, who gathers us around Him as the rejected One.

3.    Separation – but why?

If we have just seen that we set ourselves apart to a person, to the Lord Jesus, then the decisive motive for setting ourselves apart is the honor and holiness of this person. In Habakkuk 1:13, we read: “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on mischief.”

This is the real reason for separation: respect for God’s holiness. The verse quoted above from 1. Peter 1:15 is essential in this context. His holiness is why we examine everything in our lives to see whether it corresponds to Him and fits into His holy presence. If we must deny this, let us be prepared to separate ourselves from it out of love for Him.

This also addresses why we separate ourselves in respect for God’s holiness. No matter what we separate ourselves from, we should do it out of love for Him, who has done so much for us. He gave His life, the most precious thing a human possesses, for us, who were not His friends but His enemies (cf. John 15:13). That is how much He loved us – and He cares for us today with the same intense love. Out of love for this glorious Person, we should be prepared to separate ourselves from things and – if need be – also from people “that He might have the first place in all things” (Col. 1:18).

We can be sure that the Lord Jesus will not leave a renunciation that we make out of love for Him unrewarded.

And one more thing: we should never separate ourselves, thinking we are better than other believers. That would be nothing other than spiritual arrogance, which we are clearly warned against in many places in the Bible (Romans 11:20; 12:3).

Finally, godly separation is an important means of preservation. We learn this particularly impressively in the book of Nehemiah, where we are told about the building of the wall in Jerusalem. If we are not prepared to separate ourselves from evil, we will sooner or later lose our happy fellowship with the Lord Jesus and fall in our life of faith.

4.    Separate – from what?

If we associate everything with the holiness of our Lord, then this inevitably leads to the necessity of separating ourselves from everything that does not correspond to this holiness. There may be cherished habits which, on closer examination in the light of God’s Word, do not stand up to the standard of His holiness. These could be books, music, or hobbies that we should give up out of love for our Lord.

Whether it is moral or doctrinal evil, we must separate ourselves from all evil if we do not want to lose the enjoyment of fellowship with the Lord.

In this context, the question arises as to whether it is in accordance with the Word of God to separate ourselves from people. From Acts 19:9, we can see that this may well be necessary. It can also be connections and relationships with people who have become so dear to us that we may have to break off or even end in the light of the Word of God. It is undoubtedly one of the most painful experiences of a believer when – out of love for his Savior – he has to limit or, in extreme cases, even break off contact with believers because they are not compatible with the holiness of the Lord Jesus. And yet, let us remember that everything done in this relationship out of affection and devotion to our Lord will be recognized and rewarded.

5.    Separation – but how?

It hardly needs any further explanation that one must separate oneself definitively and absolutely from evil things that do not fit into the holy presence of the Lord (not only at the Lord’s Table) if one does not want to lose fellowship with Him.

On the other hand, God’s Word certainly knows other possibilities regarding the separation of persons, such as “withdrawing,” “turning away,” or “purifying oneself” (2. Thes. 3:6; Rom. 16:17; 2. Tim. 2:21).

We should note the difference between personal and corporate action in this context.

However, the question arises to what extent we are sincerely sorry that such a step has become necessary because of the honor and holiness of our Lord. Sincere mourning will surely never weary us in prayer for our brother or sister from whom we may have to separate ourselves.

Furthermore, we should beware of any conceit, perhaps thinking we are on a higher spiritual level. Indeed, the warning words from 1. Corinthians 10:12 also apply to us: “So that let him that thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

6.    Unbiblical separation

God’s Word clearly warns us against unbiblical separation. We read in Proverbs 18:1: “He that separates himself seeks his pleasure; he is vehement against all sound wisdom.” It is never in line with God’s thoughts for someone to separate themselves to go their way undisturbed in contradiction to the Bible. Jude also describes people of the last days similarly: “These are they who set themselves apart, natural men, not having the Spirit.” (Jude 19). Separation, in this sense, is never related to the Lord Jesus but satisfies one’s desire for independence from God.

7.    Summary

We have thus seen that biblical separation has a positive orientation towards the Lord Jesus. Furthermore, the motive for separation is respect for the holiness of our Lord and affection and love for Him. This will help us to separate ourselves from things – and, if necessary, also from people – that contradict our Lord’s demand for practical holiness. May the Lord Jesus protect us from all conceit.

In conclusion, let us remember the encouraging words of our Lord in Mark 10:29-30, which apply in the broadest sense to anyone who gives up something for the Lord’s sake: “Verily I say to you; There is no one who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, that shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time: houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, and in the coming age life eternal.”