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. The text demands a change in human life, of all changes the most urgent and glorious-the change without which all other changes are not only worthless, but disastrous. It involves — I. AN URGENT SEPARATION. "Come out from among them." "Them" — the carnal, idolatrous, corrupt men of the world. 1. How? Not by personally withdrawing from all communication with them. This, if possible, would neither be right, generous, nor useful. It means "come out from them" in spirit. Let your intercourse with them be like that of angels, who had no sooner discharged their errand than they flew back with rapid wing to the pure heavens again. 2. The Divine command implies — (1) Urgency. So long as you mingle in sympathy with the ungodly you are degrading your nature, imperilling your interests, incurring the displeasure of your God. (2) Strenuous effort. Heaven will not drag you out against your will; you must marshal your own energies and struggle away from the magic dominion of evil. He who would be free, himself must strike the blow. "Come out" from this moral Egypt; flee from this Sodom; forsake this Babylon! II. A GLORIOUS IDENTIFICATION. "I will receive you," etc. Here is — 1. A Divine reception. Here is a compensation for all the sacrifices you may be required to make. What matters it that you leave old fellowships, even father, mother, children? 2. Divine affiliation. (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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