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March 12, 1999, Friday
Does God have a purpose to separate His people from the
rest of the world? What benefit does a believer have by
being separated from the world? Will there be a final and
lasting separation of the light and darkness?
The Scripture tells us that God created the light and
separated it from the darkness in the very beginning--
Then God commanded, "Let there be light"—and the
light appeared; God was well pleased with what He saw.
Then He separated the light from the darkness (Gen 1:3-4).
In the same way He separated the light from the darkness,
God separates His children of light from those people
that dwell in the darkness. His children of light are
in pursuit of His Kingdom and His righteousness, not in
the pursuit of unrighteousness.
Jesus claimed from the beginning of His ministry that He
was the light and proclaimed the benefits of the light--
"I am the light of the world," He said. "Whoever follows
Me will have the light of life and will never walk in the
darkness" (John 8:12). When the light came into the world
the darkness had to go. A person is freed and liberated
from sin and darkness in the same way; the darkness can't
stay where the light is. Sin and darkness lose their power
to the Light of the World. A person that follows Christ
is promised the freedom and reward of the light.
Paul declared to the Thessalonians that the believer/disciple
of Christ is a possession of the Holy Spirit and happy to be so-
"All of you are people who belong to the light, who belong
to the day. We don't belong to the night or to the darkness"
darkness" (1Thes 5:5). Paul's declaration reminded them
that Christ is coming quickly and unexpectantly. For the
unbeliever it will be a day of terror, but for the Spirit
filled believer it will be a great day of joy. The believer
/disciple will be taken from this old world and its present
darkness and forever be with the Lord.
Let us remember who is the God that sanctifies us as a
holy people. God's Name is Jehová Mekaddesh, He is the
Lord that sets His people apart. He completely cleanses
us from all unrighteousness. He completely liberates us
from the power of sin. He completely fills us with His
Holy Spirit. Lift your hands to Him and Praise Him today
for His mercy, purpose, and will to sanctify us!
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