"Line of Demarcation"

"And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." 2 Corinthians 6:16,17

What is a line of demarcation? There are specific lines of demarcation throughout the world that divide one area, country or region from another. But the more general definition is: The setting or marking of boundaries or limits; a separation; a distinction. A line of demarcation is used as a boundary line to separate one thing from another.

Let's look at this "line of demarcation" in a spiritual sense. There should be a "line of demarcation" between the Christian and those who are "of the world". There should be a distinction and something that separates us from them so that others will know the difference. But nowadays it is often hard to tell who is and who isn't a Christian. Many profess to be but their lifestyles don't back up their profession.

When the Lord gave the Law to the Israelites, He intended for them to obey it as a sign that they were different from the rest of the inhabitants of the land. It was a sign that they were God's people, distinguishing them from those who were not. In the early church the people that the apostles preached to took note that they had been with Jesus- there was something different about them from everyone else.

In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, after they both die the rich man went to hell and Lazarus went into the "bosom of Abraham". In the conversation between the rich man and Abraham we hear these words- "between us and you there is a great gulf fixed." I believe that is a word for us on this side of death as well. There is a "gulf"- a line of demarcation that is between the Christian and the world. On this side is light, on their side is darkness. On this side there is life, on their side is death. On this side there is hope, on their side there is turmoil. On this side we are the children of God, on their side only enemies of His. On this side we have obtained forgiveness, on their side they are still in trespasses and sin. On this side, we have the Fruit of the Spirit, on their side only the fruits of the flesh.

The Bible tells us that we are the light of the world. There is a distinction between light and dark- a dividing line that separates the two. What I am saying is that there should be something different about us who profess to be Christians that distinguishes us from everyone else. That difference is Christ in us living His life through us.

Have a great day. Is there a "line of demarcation" in your life that backs up what you profess?

For further reading:
Acts 4:13
Matthew 5:14
Galatians 2:20
2 Corinthians 5:17
Luke 16:25-27

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
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