Homilist 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Why come out from among them, and be you separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.… I. THE PROMISE. 1. "I will be a Father unto you." Some may inquire, "How is it that God here promises to be what He is?" The text is an assurance that God will act the part of a Father. There is, alas! many a parent who does not act the part of a father to his children. "But can God, the Father of spirits, act in an unpaternal way toward any of His children?"(1) No. He treats none with unkindness or injustice. His offers of mercy are to all; for all Christ died. (2) Yes. In so far as His children refuse to allow Him to act a parental part. Consider the Prodigal Son. The father is still the father, but he does not act the part of a father, just because that child has chosen to betake himself to the far country. So soon as he penitently returns, the parent in loving welcome shows himself to be what he really is — a father. So God remains under all circumstances the Father of our spirits; and the question is, whether we will permit Him to be a father to us. It is one thing to have the conviction that God made us, and another to be assured that He loves us with as much individual tenderness as if no other created being existed. Do any ask, "How can this be?" How can it not be? If a man has seven children, does he love each only one-seventh as much us he would do if he had but one? Nay, if there be any difference, he will love each the more, because of the expansive influence on his heart of the love of the many. The infinite God does not love me less because I am one of millions. Let me place myself where I may rejoice in its manifestation. 2. "And ye shall be My sons," etc. Is not this a needless tautology? No, God may be a father to us; but except we act as His children we cannot be happy. The love that a mother lavishes upon her wayward children avails not for his joy, but rather acts as a painful rebuke so long as he returns it not and leads an unfilial life. So with regard to God and man. How gracious, then, this twofold promise! He will not only show us parental affection, but give us a filial heart. II. ITS CONDITION. Some ignore this, and then complain that in their experience the promise is not fulfilled. 1. Separation unto God is demanded (ver. 17). This does not imply a monkish seclusion. If the Church be so withdrawn from the world, how shall it leaven it with a holy influence? "Touch not the unclean thing." Contagion is the idea conveyed. In time of plague it were cruel indeed if all were to flee, but it would be equally their duty to avoid, if possible, contracting the malady, for then their ability to help would be gone. The physician should attend the sufferers, but it would not be well for him to sleep in the infected apartment. "But exactly from what amusements, societies, and occupations are we to separate ourselves?" Each must be guided by conscience and Scripture. From all that is condemned by God's Word, that is injurious to our spiritual welfare, that which, though not unlawful, is not needful for us, and may set a bad example, and that about the lawfulness of which we are in doubt we must withdraw ourselves. If the mother is uncertain as to whether some berry for which her child cries is poisonous or not, she will assuredly withhold it; and if we are undecided as to whether some occupation or amusement for which inclination clamours will prove harmful to our soul, let us give God, not our hearts, the benefit of the doubt. 2. "Wherefore," thus referring to what he has already said — (1) "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" None, and the believer removing not therefrom is involved in contention which belies his Christianity. (2) "What communion hath light with darkness?" None. If there be, it is to the detriment of the light. How has the brightness of many a Christian life been dimmed by intimacy with the ungodly! (3) "And what concord hath Christ with Belial?" None. So is there none betwixt those who are Christ's disciples and Satan's servants. The withdrawal is not to be comprised in a single act, but must be the habit of the life. Pliable found it easy to run from the City of Destruction, hard to continue his journey. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, |
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