— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Dear believer,

In accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, one commits to follow and obey Him.  Our teachings therefore often touch on His call to come out of the world and live a separated, holy life unto God.  We’ve waxed long on obedience, trusting Him implicitly and holy living; basics of Christianity.

Personally, however, I live in the ever present shadow of disappointment and shame of so often falling so far short of my holiest aspirations.  Wretched sin in me stands ever ready to scuttle, discredit ... and humble.

Yet, in spite of sin, Satan, self and a complex world that would thoroughly own us, each must determine how to live a separated life unto God (Gal 2:20).  We hope this will encourage and be of practical help.

Separated Living

How to live “separate” from the world.

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you." — 2Cor 6:17

“Talk is cheap!” as we all eventually learn by broken promises, exaggerated claims and so often falling short ourselves.  Professing to be Christian, yet living like the unsaved, is also cheap.  Frankly, it’s enough to raise doubt as to our true spiritual condition.

Living in an increasingly urbanized, socialistic and government-intrusive society, one might question if it’s even possible to live a life separated unto God.  With most all of living’s essentials deriving from the world’s systems, how can we extricate ourselves from it and yet survive?  More basically, with scant church modeling, just what does scripture mean by "Come out" and "Be ye separate"?  Let’s take a look at it.

Attitude & Altitude

As in all life’s undertakings, attitude determines our “altitude.”  That’s to say, how high we “fly” in any undertaking will be largely determined by our habitual pattern of thinking on that subject; our attitudes.  If we have inappropriate attitudes about it, at best, we will (figuratively) fly at tree top level rather than soar high and far and wide as do eagles.

Examples: if a man habitually thinks authority is oppressive, he will likely have problems with the law.  If a woman holds the view that “men are after only one thing,” she’ll have relational issues with men in general.  If one believes the state owes them a living (attitude of entitlement) they will seek every government subsidy available.  If one holds positive attitudes about themselves and U.S.’s freedoms and opportunities for personal advancement, they will likely be achievers.  Attitude determines altitude.

Applied to living out the Christian life: if our attitudes concerning its basics are unbiblical, one’s life in Christ is destined to barely fly.  I.e. if one harbors the idea that God is against them, that He’s out to find fault and punish, they will NOT be a worshipper or have a fruitful relationship with Him.  If a believer thinks being a Christian is all about getting our temporal needs met by a cosmic “go-for,” they might become religious, but will NOT be biblical Christians.  If a believer thinks he can hold on to his former lifestyle, he’s dangerously mistaken and will not even get off the runway.

Conversely, those who understand their purpose, goal and destiny is to glorify God, likely have corresponding attitudes.  Marked by spiritual growth, love, peace, joy patience and other Galatian-5 fruits of the spirit, they are distinctly different than pagans or religionists.  They joyfully and fruitfully function in the world, with a clear view they’re not OF it (Jn 17:15,16; 1Jn 4:17).  When their feet hit the morning floor, it’s with a “Praise God!, how can I serve you today?” attitude.  The way they spend time is different than pagans and their thinking about money and possessions is profoundly at odds with the world’s — as is the way they deal with others ... because they love like the Lord.  Attitudes!

Scripture tells us they’ve a pilgrim mind set; transients passing through a foreign land.  Their eyes are fixed on Christ, their minds and hearts on eternity.  They take God’s Word at face value, believing it — even above senses and circumstances.  Literally, many are willing to perish before breaking that trust.  They are not moved by fads or trends; good times or bad; by possessions, aggressions, recessions, depressions or even commendations. They live modestly and humbly, engaging the world as salt and light; God’s ambassadors and loving witnesses to the perishing.  They do not seek position, fame or fortune or store up treasure on earth, but invest their hearts and lives into God’s kingdom.  Their minds are biblically renewed and they ‘idolize’ Jesus only.  Their attitudes are those of gratitude to Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  And they love like Him.  Attitudes!

Separation Principles

Having biblical attitudes concerning Christianity provides the foundation upon which to construct a separated and holy life unto God ... without which it’s impossible. However, thus equipped, by the empowering of His abiding Spirit, it becomes an exciting and rewarding possibility.  Like many other zealous new saints in ‘76, we desired a lifestyle pleasing to God and recall several key elements of our thinking.  We wanted to serve Him with all our hearts, ALL the time.  We aspired to become clean, fit vessels through which He could flow into the lost world around us.  Following are lifestyle principles that made sense to us then, and still do today.
 

1) Serve and trust God unto death.  We decided to go “all the way” in service to God and in trust for wisdom, provision, protection, healing, etc.  We expect & depend on Him to meet all our needs according to scripture (Mt 6:33; Lk 6:38).
2) Live debt-free.  We do not buy anything without first having the money to pay for it.  We did not want debt to limit His direction of our lives (Ro 13:8).
3) Travel light.  Like soldiers, we wanted to be ready for immediate deployment anywhere in the world, not encumbered by more than basic possessions (2Tm 2:4).
4) Divorce the past.  As “new creatures in Christ,” we chose not to be limited by past failure, success, education, vocation, training, etc.  We wanted God to remold us to suit His purposes (Rom 12:1,2).

Biblical lifestyle principles established on the foundation of scriptural attitudes, provides the platform to construct a separated life unto God.  The challenge is to apply them to everyday living and requires tough choices: departing from church and societal norms (Rom 8:6,13).  It’s enough to mark one as radical, fanatical, heretical, etc.  Granted, application of the principles is a subjective matter, but as in all things, God looks upon the heart.

“Application” prompted us to drop optional insurances.  We also decided to not accept Medicare/cade, Social (in)Security, Food Stamps, or other societal subsidies.  We choose to not own worldly assets beyond God’s provision and then, only as long as conscience permits.  We have no savings, holdings, investments, real estate, annuities, CDs, etc.  Our preference is total dependence upon His “daily bread.”  Either He provides ... or we perish.

Very simple, biblical Christianity.

We’ve also chosen to devote our lives to kingdom activity and to do whatever tent-making the Spirit offers.  We hold no jobs and from a worldly view, greet each day essentially “unemployed.”  God has taught us a most wonderful economy that has primarily financed our lives (and to a large degree, this ministry).  Thrift stores, garage sales and dumpster diving are a regular part of our lives  and from which, we’ve mined many thousands of dollars of subsistence for ourselves and others.

We’re not suggesting ours is the best or only way, or that we are more separate than others.

Materially, God has provided more than we would ever ask for, but in heart, “own” nothing.  We have little money and on paper are a financial disaster that’s found a place to happen.  But, we have EVERYTHING!  We’ve the peace hope, love, joy and security of our Lord.  He’s given us good health, shelter, food, clothing and all we need to live victoriously.  By His grace, we also live spiritually, mentally & emotionally, separated from the world.  This takes us back to attitude.  We think and feel like alien visitors, looking for a city not made by man and which is lighted by the glory of God.  Reassuringly, many treat us as such.  They laugh at, attack, defame, reject and hate us (Mt 10:22; Mk 13:13; Lk 6:22).

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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