In all things showing thyself a pattern of good work: in doctrine, showing uncorruptness (integrity), gravity (reverence), sincerity (incorruptibility), sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of (an opponent) the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you – Titus 2:7-8

Salvation has appeared to all men, and it is based on God’s grace that has provided salvation universally for all humanity through the unlimited atonement of Christ. Salvation is different from sanctification, but they go hand in hand. Jesus gives salvation, but sanctification comes through individual submission to the Word of God.

God wanted His people to be holy, meaning they were set apart from the nonbelievers; they were different and unique. We have two options, either to be separate and holy or to compromise with nonbelievers and their actions. This is why God called the children of Israel out of Egypt and set them apart as a unique nation. They were dedicated to worshiping Him alone and leading moral lives. This is why He designed laws and restrictions to help His people to remain separate both socially and spiritually.

The Israelites were to remain spiritually separated from the world’s wickedness. Although we live in a society that has forsaken God, as a spiritual Jew, we’re to maintain our lifestyle by the written Word of God. Israel was the people of God, that’s why they were called the Israelites; and those who are professing to be Christians, are the spiritual Israelites. (Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you -2nd Corinthians 6:17). Separation from the world involves more than keeping our distance from practicing sinners, it means staying close to God. It involves more than avoiding entertainment that leads to sin, it extends into how we spend our time and money.

There is no way to separate ourselves totally from all sinful influences, nevertheless, we are to resist the sin around us, and not give up and give in. Jesus died so that our sins would be forgiven, but He didn’t die so that we could remain in our sinful state.

Through His death, burial and resurrection and our acceptance of the Holy Spirit, we are given the power to overcome any sinful influences. Sadly to say, many attending church have a form of godliness, but they deny the power that has been given through acceptance of salvation (Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away – 2nd Timothy 3:5). If we could live the way we were before our acceptance of salvation, what was the purpose of Jesus denying for our sins?

He died and was beaten for the sins of the world. Every sin we can think of was nailed to the Cross. When we receive baptism, we are being buried with Christ (Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life – Romans 6:4). When we live contrary to the Word of God; we become stumbling blocks to those that are trying to live a new life in Christ. They see your actions and think its okay to do what you do, say what you say, go where you go.

When we become a stumbling block to others reaching Christianity, Christians are priest, a holy nation, but when they live contrary to the Word of God they have to bear their iniquities (And the Levites that are gone away far from Me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from Me after their idols; they shall even bear their iniquity – Ezekiel 44:20). Some will say, oh, that’s Old Testament, God’s Word never change, His Word is Him, He is the Word and He does not change.

We are Ambassador’s of Jesus Christ, we’re representatives of a spiritual world. We will either direct people to heaven or hell. We carry the title twenty-four hours a day and we should act it out. It’s not a part-time position, wherever we go, we’re representing Jesus.

The Bible is the written Word of God, and it’s the instruction booklet for those who are professing to be Christians. If we don’t read it, we can’t comply it, but when we stand before the Lord we will have no excuse because the instruction book was here for us to read and apply it to our life. He’s holding us responsible for what we hear, read and do!