Today's Verse - 2 Corinthians 6:17 (NIV): “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
The verse above references Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:34 and 41. In previous verses, we are told that we are not to be yoked to unbelievers. Paul is probably referring to the immoral behavior and influence of non-believers, and the uncleanliness probably refers to those who are unclean because of sin.
Today's Comments: In modern terms, perhaps this verse is telling us that a bad apple spoils the whole barrel. Paul may have been referring to marriage or intercourse between Christians and non-Christians or participation in pagan rituals. In any case, Paul is asking us to draw a line or boundary with respect to our relationship with unbelievers. Only by maintaining that line could the Christians of that day, or of any day, maintain their righteous relationship with God. Only by setting themselves aside, could the people maintain themselves as God's people. Perhaps then, as well as today, the idea of "if you can't lick em, join em" became too tempting a solution and was one against what Paul preached. Maybe that is what is happening with respect to the Episcopal Church, in a world which wants Christianity to give in to the temptations and lusts of the world for convenience and pleasure. My answer: "Let us not abandon truth as it is given to us in scripture. Instead, let us embrace scripture, search for the truth, and live in obedience to God's Holy Word.
The verse above references Isaiah 52:11 and Ezekiel 20:34 and 41. In previous verses, we are told that we are not to be yoked to unbelievers. Paul is probably referring to the immoral behavior and influence of non-believers, and the uncleanliness probably refers to those who are unclean because of sin.
Today's Comments: In modern terms, perhaps this verse is telling us that a bad apple spoils the whole barrel. Paul may have been referring to marriage or intercourse between Christians and non-Christians or participation in pagan rituals. In any case, Paul is asking us to draw a line or boundary with respect to our relationship with unbelievers. Only by maintaining that line could the Christians of that day, or of any day, maintain their righteous relationship with God. Only by setting themselves aside, could the people maintain themselves as God's people. Perhaps then, as well as today, the idea of "if you can't lick em, join em" became too tempting a solution and was one against what Paul preached. Maybe that is what is happening with respect to the Episcopal Church, in a world which wants Christianity to give in to the temptations and lusts of the world for convenience and pleasure. My answer: "Let us not abandon truth as it is given to us in scripture. Instead, let us embrace scripture, search for the truth, and live in obedience to God's Holy Word.
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