Friday, July 30: Separate, but not equal!

One of the precepts of Constitutional law was “separate, but equal.” This concept referred to the early acceptance of segregation based on race. Though the effect of this segregation was far-reaching, it was most apparent in the American South, where there were separate schools, restaurants, pools, bathrooms, drinking fountains and more for whites and blacks. Separation was obvious, but there was nothing that even bordered on equality. Though these laws were overturned in 1954, it took 10 years to begin to see a difference.


Most people over 50 can remember at least some of the ramifications of those laws, while for people over 60, they lived it! Can you imagine what it must feel like to be on the other side looking in? It would be devastating to wonder why some people have it so easy, and why based on skin color, others have it so difficult. As Christians, we also seem to have problems with separation anxiety. We are called to be separate from the world. Jesus explained this concept to His disciples:


And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
John 8:23


It can be difficult to walk the fine line of existing in this world, but realizing that this is not our home, anymore than it was the home of Jesus. We are called to be holy:


…15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16

Holiness can be defined as wholeness. We cannot have wholeness without Jesus living inside of us, completing us. Holiness also can be defined as righteousness, and without Jesus being punished for our sins, we have no chance at holiness. Without holiness, we are separated from God.


The world we live in seeps into every aspect of our lives. Think about an average day. We go to work, eat a couple meals and watch television. If we turn on the television, almost every show has at least some part that flaunts the acceptance of the world’s ways, and at the same time, violates the laws of God. That list would include pre-marital sex, homosexuality, drunkenness, marital infidelity, foul language, or even scantily-clad actors and actresses that leave little to the imagination. Opening a magazine reveals the same. Conversations with co-workers often cross the line with dirty jokes or gossip. As Christians, we are called to glorify God in all that we do. That means to remain separate from the world. But don’t forget, separation does not mean isolation. There are things we shouldn’t do and places we shouldn’t go. It is highly doubtful that drunken revelers in a bar are going to glean anything from your conversation about God, but your neighbors might notice there is something different about you, in a positive way. I think of the song, “They’ll know we are Christians by our love.”


God is going to separate the wheat from the chaff and the sheep from the goats, and while on this earth, we are to be separate from those who do not follow Him. Is it that important to fit in? Sometimes it feels important, but wouldn’t you rather fit in with God and God’s people? We are to be separate, and thankfully, not equal, especially when it comes to eternity! Would you rather be separate from the world or separated from God?