Separation from Sinners.
By Methodist Recorder
ONE of the conditions on which God has promised to receive us and recognize us as his children, is that we come out from the world and be separate from sinners. This is not an arbitrary requirement, but a condition founded in the nature of things. Persons in their social intercourse naturally influence each other, and the influence which they exert is similar to the character which they possess. A good man will naturally and necessarily influence those with whom he intimately associates, to be good, while a wicked man will necessarily influence others to be bad. David was deeply impressed with this truth, and declared, "Depart from me, ye evil doers, for I will keep the commandments of my God." The implication here is very clear that in order to obey God we must break off our associations with evil doers—wicked, ungodly persons, who transgress the divine law. One of the most fruitful sources of backsliding and spiritual declension, especially among young converts, is unnecessary association with the ungodly. If any man will keep the commandments of God, and lead a life of true obedience and piety, he must come out from the ungodly, separate himself from sinners, and partake not of their evil deeds. A person who will not do this in the true sense in which the requirement is made, cannot reasonably hope to lead a Christian life. But by this separation from the ungodly we are not to understand the abandonment of all association with them in the transaction of the lawful business of this life, or the necessary intercourse which the social relations that we sustain to them properly involve. While we are in the world, and connected with the business of the world, we must necessarily associate to some extent with all classes of men, with whom we are brought in contact in the transaction of our lawful business. To avoid this kind of association, as the apostle says, we "must needs go out of the world." But even in this respect, when there is a choice presented, we should prefer association with the godly. Then, sometimes, intimate contact with the ungodly necessarily arises from the social relations which we sustain to them, which cannot lawfully be dissolved, and which render such association unavoidable. The believing wife must not forsake her unbelieving husband, nor the believing husband abandon his unbelieving wife. Believing parents must not cast off their unbelieving children, nor believing children forsake their unbelieving parents. These are necessary relations which we are not required to break off. God does not intend in converting men to disrupt society and destroy relations based upon his own ordinances. Such association is lawful, and God's grace will be sufficient to preserve us while maintaining it. Nor are we required to abandon association with the ungodly, when such association is for the purpose of instructing, reforming, and saving them. This kind of association, instead of being prohibited, is enjoined as a duty. Christ has enforced it by his own example. He mingled with publicans and sinners, both publicly and in social life, that he might instruct and save them. And Christians are justified in going anywhere, and mingling with any class of society, in his name, and in his Spirit, and in imitation of his example, to do good to the souls and bodies of men. In this way there is nothing improper in our associating with evil doers, because we do not enter into sympathy with their sins, but faithfully endeavor to save them from their evil courses. But we must not unnecessarily, and from choice, make evil doers, ungodly, wicked persons our companions, and seek pleasure from their society and partake of their spirit. It matters not how intelligent, refined, and agreeable in many respects they may be, there is an insidious, spiritual poison in their influence, the natural tendency of which is to corrupt and destroy. "Evil communications"—evil associations—in their very nature tend to "corrupt good manners." This is universally true. "He that walketh with wise men," we are told, because of their example, and the influence which they exercise over him, "shall be wise;" but "a companion of fools," because of the influence they exert over him, shall become like them, and "shall be destroyed." If a man would obey God, lead a pious life, and save his soul, he must break away from the companionship of the ungodly, and abandon their evil ways. He must associate with those of similar spirit with himself, and become a companion of all them that fear God. Beware, then, of the society of the ungodly. If you are a young convert, we especially warn you against it. Their influence is corrupting, and their example is calculated to lead you astray. If you would obey God, and lead a consistent, upright, Christian life, you must not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful. Avoid, so far as possible, every evil influence which is calculated to abate your zeal and turn your feet aside from the path of duty. Beware that you tread not on dangerous ground, and in an unsuspecting moment be overcome.