Set Apart... Set Aside.

This past Sunday Pastor Ben had a preaching engagement at another church, so his wife Alethea give the sermon message. Now, some people might consider it something of a disappointment to have a back-up Pastor give the sermon on Sunday morning, but I assure you, if you've ever heard Alethea Britt give a message, she can certainly ignite the fire inside, no matter what the subject.  It's always a blessing to hear from her.

Alethea gave a short message on being  'set apart'. As she spoke, she gave her testimony of how she has to constantly strive to remain 'set apart' from worldly things: and not just for her sake, but for the sake of her children, her family and her congregation.

For example, in her household they love to watch movies, and they love to go to the movie theater.  But they consciously refrain from watching any that would introduce them to coarse language, nudity, innuendo or worse, because that - to her - is an example of what means to be set apart: to remove yourself from a situation where the enemy could easily influence you to follow the world instead of the Word.  No matter how much the flesh wants to enjoy the things of this world; the spirit 'set apart' in Christ must constantly strive to stay that way... set apart.

 But it's hard.

And it's everywhere. As we watch sporting events, we are bombarded with commercials endorsing alcohol and libido prescriptions. As we watch evening programming, we are introduced to scantily clad bikini models noisily enjoying hamburgers, or unwed and pregnant teens. As we enjoy a 'family' TV program or movie, we are discreetly subjected to sexual innuendo and expletives. Or even worse: promiscuity, adultery, violence, and addiction.  But what was once shocking and coarse has now become mainstream.  We hardly even notice.

And it's not just in front of our television screens either.

It's become commonplace to hear explicit lyrics on radio stations, and we don't even notice.  It's 'no big deal' to hear an adult cursing in public. It's become normal to see men and women provocatively dressed in public or wearing clothing with offensive slogans. Our social media pages are filled with obscene images and shocking video aimed at 'taking a stand'. We don't even blink at the screens any longer, we just scroll on... numb to the shocking posts.

Romans 12:2 tells us: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." It does not tell us to become numb, disinterested, or to ignore the world, but instead NOT to conform to it. We must be aware, so that we are able to discern the will of God, and set apart so we can receive what is good and perfect.

As I listened to Alethea discuss being 'set apart' for God, I realized that just because I am a Christian, this does not mean I am automatically 'set apart'.  Oh, no.... this, my friends, actually means you have a job to do. Let the real work begin. To be 'set apart' you must make the conscious and perpetual decision to separate yourselves from the things of the world. Turn it off. Stay away. Power it down. Don't join the party. Leave it unspoken.

Why?

When you set yourselves apart for God, you become a light for others. You radiate with holiness that sets the example for others to follow. Like a moth to a flame, you become a beacon of hope to others who otherwise wouldn't see through the darkness created by the world.

Matthew 5:16 says, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

And when you are a light for others... when you are 'set apart' for God... you become 'set aside' as well.

Set aside for His favor. Set aside for His glory. Set aside for His reward.

2 John 1:8 says: Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

Friends, let us remain set apart from the things of the world.   Set aside for Christ.

The reward is coming.





Until we meet again, keep on praising.
~ Christine.