Be Ye Separate

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Morally, Christ was as separate from sinners while on earth, as He is now. But, outwardly, He was in their midst; and, as the witness and expression of grace, He was spiritually in their midst also. Since His resurrection, He is completely separate from sinners. The world seeth Him not and will see Him no more save in judgment. It is in this last position, and as having put on this character of entire separation from the world, that the church, that Christians, are in connection with Him. Such a High Priest became (befitted) us (Heb. 7:2626For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26)). The church retains her strength, Christians retain their strength, so far only as they abide in this state of complete separation. The world does not understand it and cannot participate in it. Human joy and sociability have no part in it. Divine joy and the power of the Holy Ghost accompany it. The life of our adorable Saviour was one of gravity and straitness—not in Himself, but—because of evil that pressed upon Him on every side.