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Contributed by Phil Spadaro
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Monday, 08 September 2008 |
 Proverbs 18 1 One who isolates himself pursues [selfish] desires; he rebels against all sound judgment. (Holman CSB)
Deuteronomy 28 9 The LORD will establish you as His holy people, as He
swore to you, if you obey the commands of the LORD your God and walk in
His ways. (Holman CSB)
Isolation is dividing or separating from others or being divided or
separated from others. Sometimes isolation (parad) and holy (qodesh )
are used interchangeably by those who wish to defend their
divisiveness. Parad and qodesh are not the same. Qodesh refers to
that which has been put aside by God for His purpose as holy or
consecrated. Parad is also a separation, but not necessarily with
purpose or God's intent but by man's catalyst. Why are parad and
qodesh often switched? Because men “pursue selfish desires”.
Parad involves lines in the sand which need not be there. We create false tests of fellowship and false judgments based on criteria which are not salvation items. Although we are isolating ourselves, we call it qodesh – holy, righteous; as if it is ordained by God. Think of the subjects which have divided the Restoration Movement time and again; instrumental music, the when and what of the Lord's Supper, discipling, church offices, the role of women, church discipline, membership, etc... Each side claims to be separating from the remainder of the body because they want to be holy. What they want is isolation to pursue selfish desires. No longer do they listen to sound judgment, but go their own way. Diotrephes in 3 John 1 exemplifies parad.
“ 9I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. 10So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” (NIV)
God does value separation at His command – qodesh. 1 Corinthians 11:19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval. (NIV) 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (NIV) Note that the separation is by God's determination, definition and decision. The Lord decides what separates us and typically it is not what we use as tests of fellowship.
How can we determine if a separation is qodesh or parad? Some steps which may help you decide. Is the separation explicitly commanded or forbidden in the Bible (Titus 3:10)? Is it within the framework of “Love God, love people”? Does the decision follow the spirit of other commands of God? What is the intent or the spirit of person or people making the separation? Although not an exhaustive list, these questions will stimulate thought and prayer.
Can the Restoration Movement repent of parad? Can we focus on qodesh? The early Christians focused on separation from the world, not from each other. Their lifestyle distinguished them. Are we more concerned about a brother violating some convoluted line in the sand (discipling, instrumental music, supporting an orphanage, etc...) or are we really looking at characteristics which are causes for separation (greed, divisiveness, impurity, etc...)? Can the world look us and notice a difference? If not, then we are not Holy but merely fragmented. Let us focus on our personal qodesh (holiness) and developing a lifestyle which stands out against a worldly background.
References
Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for qodesh (Strong's 06944)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2008. 8 Sep 2008. < http:// cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
strongs=H6944 >
Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for parad (Strong's 06504)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2008. 5 Sep 2008. < http:// cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?
Strongs=H06504&t=kjv >
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