Believers live in the world among ungodly people but are called to separate from the world's sinful lifestyle.
Scripture and Les Feldick teach that while believers cannot avoid contact with the world, they must not adopt its ungodly practices. God calls His people to come out of the world's system, as seen in the admonition to Babylon and the separation of Israel from Egypt.
2 Corinthians 6:17 — This verse explicitly calls believers to come out and be separate, which is the core of being in the world but not of it.
The Bible teaches that believers are to be separated from the world. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, God commands, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you." This builds on the Old Testament pattern where Israel was separated from Egypt (Clip 1). Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
Les Feldick explains that believers are to be in the world but not of it, meaning they live among ungodly people but do not participate in their sinful lifestyles. He emphasizes that God doesn't expect the unsaved world to drop their lifestyle, but He does expect His own people to shun it (Clip 0). He uses the example of Israel's separation from Egypt to illustrate that we are to be a separate people, not unequally yoked with unbelievers (Clip 1, Clip 2, Clip 6). Les stresses that this separation is not about being oddballs but about being different in behavior and lifestyle so that the world knows where we stand (Clip 1, Clip 2). He also notes that God's patience and grace are why the world's wrongdoing seems to continue, but that patience will not last forever (Clip 0).
Les Feldick teaches that believers are to live in the world but not be part of its system. This means not participating in the immoral lifestyle of the world, even though they must interact with people around them. He uses the example of Babylon, saying that God calls His people to "come out of her"—the world system of wealth and immorality—so they do not participate in her sins (Clip 0). As Christians, we are to be distinct in our behavior and lifestyle, just as Israel was separated from Egypt (Clip 1, Clip 2). This is not about being odd or seeking persecution, but about letting the world know where we stand (Clip 1).
God expects believers to shun the lifestyle of the ungodly world, even though He does not expect the unsaved world to drop it. Les Feldick highlights that God expects His own people to come out of the world's system of wealth and immorality, so they do not participate in its sins or receive its plagues (Clip 0). He also connects this to the grace of God, which teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world (Clip 7). This separation is not a condition for salvation but a response to it, and it's a choice left to the believer (Clip 3).
Les Feldick acknowledges that living in a world that is unconcerned and living only for today can be frustrating, but he points to 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 to remind us of the spiritual dilemma the world is in (Clip 4). He encourages believers not to be discouraged, but to realize that the world's wrongdoing will not last forever because God's patience will eventually come to an end. Just as the door of safety stood open before the flood, there is an invitation to leave sinful surroundings behind (Clip 0). This understanding helps believers stay faithful to their call to be separate.
No, Les Feldick explicitly says that believers should not be oddballs or constantly seek persecution by their actions. Instead, they are to be different and joyful, since they have reason to be joyful in a perplexing world (Clip 2). The separation is about behavior and lifestyle, not about being socially awkward or negative. The world should see the difference in how believers live, reflecting God's design for them to be separate (Clip 1, Clip 2).
Come Out of Her
Les teaches that the call to come out of Babylon is for believers to separate from the world's system of wealth and immorality, so they don't share in its sins or plagues.
Separated From Egypt
Les explains that just as God separated Israel from Egypt, He wants believers separated from the world, not unequally yoked with unbelievers.
Be Different, Not Odd
Les stresses that believers are to be different from the world in behavior, but not by being oddballs or seeking persecution.
Salvation Not by Works
Les emphasizes that separation is not a requirement for salvation, as God has made salvation easy—it's a response of grace.
Understanding the World's Dilemma
Les points to 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 to remind believers of the spiritual blindness of the world, which helps them understand why separation is needed.
What Does It Mean to Present Your Body as a Living Sacrifice?
Romans 2, and he says, �Be not conformed to this world.� Now the word �world� in Scripture is usually used in two Greek words, �cosmos� from which we get the word �cosmopolitan�, or it�s �ion� which means age. In other words, we are not to be molded by the God of this age or the God of this world. Remember, all programs are available in printed form, audio cassette and videotape.
New Testament Separation
Les connects God's separation of Israel from Egypt to Paul's instruction in 2 Corinthians, showing believers are to be separate from the world.
Grace Teaches Separation
Les shows that the grace of God teaches believers to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, living soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world.
2 Corinthians 6:17: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
This verse is the clearest call to separation from the world, used by Les to show the believer's need to be separate.
Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This verse directly addresses not being conformed to the world, supporting the teaching on being in the world but not of it.
Revelation 18:4: And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
This verse is used by Les to call believers out of the world system, paralleling the separation call.
Titus 2:11-13: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Les references this passage to show that grace teaches us to deny worldly lusts and live godly in the present world.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
This passage helps explain why the world is in darkness and why believers are to be separate.
It means living among ungodly people but not participating in their sinful lifestyle. Believers are called to be separate, as God called Israel out of Egypt and as 2 Corinthians 6:17 says, 'Come out from among them, and be ye separate.'
No, Les Feldick teaches that believers cannot avoid contact with the world, but they are not to be partakers of its sins. They are to be distinct in behavior, not oddballs.
No, Les explains that God's grace makes salvation easy; it's not based on works. However, believers are encouraged to respond to God's call to separate from the world's lifestyle.
God's patience, grace, and mercy are long, but they will not last forever. Just as the door of safety was open before the flood, there is an invitation to leave sinful surroundings.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "Babylon the Great" Really Mean in Revelation 18?