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    "Come out from among them and be separate," says the Lord. We understand what this does NOT mean -- physical isolation from society and communal living or hermit living, but have we considered sufficiently what it DOES mean, and what effect or limitations it places on Christians in daily life? The Lord went on to say, "Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you" (2 Cor. 6:17). But what is unclean? Surely, anything that spiritually defiles and causes us to be partakers in sinful things is unclean. Perhaps we have a good grip on this from the individual aspect of companionship: aiding and abetting criminals, sharing in morally corrupting activity and events -- all from which we must separate ourselves. We need also to give consideration to ties with bodies of people, organized groups, that would tend to corrupt us by compromising personal integrity and influence.

    Before we become part of any organization with people of the world, we should give careful thought to what would be required of us and expected of us. Even becoming an officer in the PTA can impose pressures to do things such as games of chance, and having fellowship with denominational preachers in devotionals and prayers. If one can call on a false teacher to lead in prayer in a PTA meeting, then why can he not call on him to do the same thing in the assembly of the saints? Similarly, business partnerships with worldly people may lead to fraud and tax evasion, if the partner lacks scruples. Remember that people in the world do not reason from the same perspective and standard that is the essence of the reasonings of Christians.

    When one enters any of the branches of military service, he necessarily subjects himself to an almost absolute authority at the hands of hardened men who tell him what to do, and who expect complete and immediate compliance (Lk. 7:8). Note Naaman's predicament in 2 Kgs. 5:17,18. One's time and behavior in the military are subject to another's authority. If the commanding officer decides to do an all-day exercise on Sunday, he can deprive a Christian of the opportunity to worship as God has instructed us. if he sends men on a mission that requires months to accomplish, he has that authority. If one is involved in covert activity, he must lead a life of deception. How can a Christian dare to place himself under such a degree of authority?

    Politics are laden with pressures and temptations to compromise principles, even at the local level. For example, consider being a mayor. A wet-dry referendum is held. He does not dare to oppose it for political reasons, and he does not dare to support it for religious reasons. What does he do? Perhaps he says nothing, and "lets the people decide," and when he votes, he doesn't tell anyone how he voted. If the "wets" win, he can join forces with them; in fact, he has to join with them in collecting and deciding the use of revenues that come from the sale of beverage alcohol. It has been said that politics are based on compromise. The Christian life is based on no compromise with evil. For politics' sake, one may be tempted to compromise his religious affiliation and to unite himself with the most popular religious group. In his political speeches, one is pressured to tell the people what they want to hear, and in press conferences one is walking a tightrope to avoid alienating anyone. How many successful politicians, do you suppose, would doom their chance of election or reelection for the sake of truth and righteousness? A Christian should consider these matters carefully before entering politics.

    Christians are a separate people -- a sanctified, spiritually and morally pure people -- who must maintain that separateness in order to maintain their fellowship with God. This is a real challenge in a world that constantly urges participation in its activities.

---Gilbert Alexander

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