What is the right line for separation in Christianity?

So, you've made a decision.





You've said, "Jesus, I love you so much because you loved me so much I want to separate from the world and become more like you." So you drop your trashy clothes, you delete your trashy music, you completely purge of everything you think is bad, until...whoops!


There's that Christian rock CD. The lyrics are pretty deep, but the music gets you in the flesh and away from God. Or that certain article of clothing. It shows a little skin or it looks trashy, but it's SO COMFORTABLE. Or that favorite DVD. Sure, it has a few cuss words, but the overall story is positive?


Well, what do you do? Give me some answers.

What is the right line for separation in Christianity?
The true answer is in the word my brother. Let me get you started this way. We are by nature sinful and unclean, only by the grace and mercy of God through the sacrafice of his only son who shed his blood on the cross as atonement for ALL of our sins are we saved and worhty of being children of God. Romans 7:14-25, Paul writes; We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. %26gt;here is where you need to pay attention%26gt; As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature (or my flesh). For I have the desire to do what is good , but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. {HERE IS WHERE THE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PASSAGES BEGINS TO COME CLEAR} vs20 says: Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.





I suggest you finish reading this passage 21-25 it will shed light on your dilema. Know this you are not alone in this struggle. We as christians are daily finding that our hearts are not always focused on God it is impossible because we were born into sin, remember though Jesus paid the price through God's grace and mercy so we are no longer sinners, but we are saints that sin. Romans 4:7-8 "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." REJOICE IN THE LORD IN ALL THINGS. GIVE HIM THANKS AND PRAISE IN ALL THINGS. sTAND UP AND PROCLAIM JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR, AND REPENT OF YOUR SINS. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL WORK WITHIN YOU TO FULFILL GOD'S WILL. WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO NOT COMMIT SIN, BUT WE HAVE ONE WHO SPEAKS ON OUR BEHALF. DO NOT INTERPRET THAT AS A FREE PASS, BUT ASK FOR FORGIVENESS OF ALL YOUR SHORTCOMINGS AND BELIEVE YOU ARE FORGIVEN. THEN MOVE ON TO A NEW DAY. Although this was lenghty, I pray that it will help shed some light on your struggles. God Bless
Reply:to me sounds as if you are taking all this way too serious. You can love God , worship an live the right way. without being so straight an narrow these days. unless you are strict Pentecostal and the old fashion type of religion , you are worring way too much. prayer will keep you straight...
Reply:Just try hard to do what you feel is right and everything will be ok. God knows what's in your heart %26amp; He knows we all face these problems. I personally try to avoid situations where I know I might be weak. Just pray every day and ask for guidance and forgiveness.


Blessings...
Reply:Good question. The CORRECT answer: it's either all or nothing, which is very difficult for me. The world continues to pull at me, but my heart longs to be completely sold out to God. Even my wife tries to pull me away from church sometimes, and says I think I'm too good for her. I'm not though. I'm human and have battles just like everyone, but I want to win and do the right thing, and be righteous. I know I've been made the righteousness of God thru Christ when I was saved, but it's has been very difficult to let go of all the past and worldly stuff. The bible says "I wish that your were hot or cold, but because you are luke warm I spit you out of my mouth!" Look at the examples, Jesus, Paul, Peter, etc. you must lose your life for God, and he'll give you a new and better one. Easier said than done though. I'll pray for strength for you Robert, and you can do the same for me, if you like. Peace, and God bless!
Reply:There is Christian music out there than you can listen to. I'm not talking about music with cursing or foul language. Some of these Christian artists are truly sold out to God. God is the creator of all music, but yet satan who was once lucifer was the lead worshipper in heaven, however b/c of his powerful role in music he has distorted the music(Hip Hop, Rap, Rock, Country, Alternative, etc...) that God meant to be used to Glorify Him. It all boils down to one's heart. Do they seek God and desire for their talents and gifts to be used to Glorify God. There are many Christian rap artists that I listen to that has challenged me in my walk with Christ. You have to have balance...not going from one extreme to the next. I'm not saying it's ok to listen to music with cursing, or music that promotes lust, fornication, disbelief, etc....
Reply:You aren't the first person to struggle with this question.





First, stop, and take a deep breath. Jesus isn't about having to obey every possible rule. Remember, that's what the pharisees did. Nor was he about devout ascetescism. Of him they said "He dines with whores and gluttons". He turned the water to wine at Cana, and he fed the multitudes not until they had what they needed, but until they were sated.. clearly, Jesus isn't against just enjoying life and there's no need for his followers to relinquish every pleasure. God gave us these pleasures, remember?





The key here is that you've been getting rid of things YOU THINK are bad. Instead of accepting the gifts God gives you in life, for your pleasure, pleasure he delights in, you are rejecting them in fear. You aren't becoming like Jesus, you are becoming like the person chained by the law.





If you quit worrying about rules and what is good/bad, it becomes clear through the Spirit's whisperings.





You can tell when it's the Holy Spirit and not your own neurosis, because the decisions that the Spirit leads you to are always marked with joy and freedom. You realize that you haven't listened to R%26amp;B music in six months, and it doesn't seem like any loss. You realize that you haven't watched any R-rated movies since Schindler's List, and you don't miss them or have any desire to go see one right now. On the other hand, your own neurosis makes you think things like "wow, this pair of jeans looks great. Oh no, that's thinking of myself, I better never wear them again!"





Seriously, do you think God designed you so you could set out to deliberately avoid beauy or joy or pleasure? He did not! Do you think that Jesus saved us so that we can be bound by a zillion rules for everything because anything we do can obscure our view of Him? By no means!





You seem to be looking for hard-and-fast rules in a world governed not by the law but by grace! Rejoice, enjoy the gifts, and praise God for the opportunity to enjoy this world, this body, this life that he gave you in His love.
Reply:You let them go and get rid of them and go 100% for God... You will be blessed for it... The reward is doing what is right and you will reap many blessings for it.