Be Ye Holy
Chapter 5: The Spirit of the Separatist

Zeal for Souls

The third part of the separatist's spirit should be a zeal to see people saved and a resulting consistency in evangelistic effort. This study has already identified passages in I Peter 2:9; II Corinthians 6:1-2; 6:14-7:1; and John 17:17-20 where evangelism and separation are linked. There is at least one other passage like it in Jude. After the exhortation to "earnestly contend for the faith" (v. 3) and the exposure to the apostates, Jude exhorts his readers, "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 23). Evangelism and separation are inseparably joined in Scripture. The separatist must remember that separation is not an end in itself but a God-appointed means of proclaiming the gospel. Separation without evangelism is sterile, and the separatist has a God-given responsibility to consistently work for the salvation of souls around the world.

Perpetual Love for God

The Bible teaches the separatist that he must maintain his love relationship with his God. Jude's command is explicit: "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 20-21).

These verses contain the command to "keep yourselves in the love of God." A warm-hearted relationship with the Lord must be perpetually preserved by the believer. This command is given to those who are to be the contenders for the Faith. Separatists must be spiritual Christians who walk with God. It is especially important to note that the loss of this love relationship is a clear and present danger to the separatist. The church at Ephesus was a separatist church which exposed false apostles, but Christ rebuked it, saying, "Thou hast left thy first love" (Rev. 2:4). The separatist needs to remember to preserve his place of communion with God, and he needs to fear leaving that first love.

God not only gives instruction to "keep yourselves in the love of God" (Jude 21), but He also teaches the Christian how to do it. The passage contains three participial phrases that modify the imperative: "building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, . . . looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 20-21). The believer is to contend for the revealed faith, and he is to build himself up in that faith. The Word of God is that revealed faith which builds men (Acts 20:32). The Christian is also to pray and look for the return of Christ. By these three actions the believer keeps himself in the love of God.