Morality simply stated is "the principles or rules of right conduct." In the human equation, these are relative to time, place, and person, therefore variable. The result of this approach ultimately is anarchy. It follows the rule, "He who has the gold sets the rules," as opposed to the "golden rule" which states, "Do unto others as you'd have others do unto you." In human society the man with the most power, which usually equates with controlling the greatest wealth, is the absolute authority.

Apart from religion, there is no fixed morality! How one sees the world depends on where he is standing and his personal mental concept of its genesis. In the finest sense the person who recognizes no higher authority than himself becomes a god for all intent and purposes. "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Gen. 3:5)Definitions of right, wrong, good or evil become a personal choice. By definition this establishes the one who believes in this fashion as the final authority, ergo, god.

The true God who has revealed himself in the Bible has said, "Sanctify [separate] yourselves [unto me] therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God." (Lev. 20:7) I do not intend to argue this point with detractors. I accept this statement as the revealed word and will of God. Those who deny this principle can argue with God; don't bother to trouble me!

He is The God. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is The God who chose Israel to be a nation of priests. They will one day fulfill that prophesy.

Separation [sanctification] is not a statement of perfection nor is it a declaration of spiritual superiority. On the contrary, it is an act of utter humility. It recognizes weakness and acknowledges the right of God to rule absolutely over one's entire life because of it. It expresses the desire of the Christian to submit to God the Holy Spirit, to be transformed into the likeness of God the Son, Jesus the Christ, which is his primary work in our lives when he comes to dwell in us. (John 15:26)

What is meant by separation is not to be literally separated from those who do not have a personal relationship with God through the substitutionary atonement of Jesus, i.e., born again of the Spirit, but to be separated mentally and morally from their viewpoints[sometimes referred to as a world-view]. Separation creates the imperative to establish a witness to that which is revealed truth. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh unto the father but by me."

God has created mankind as free moral agents, that is, with freedom of choice. It is not a choice to do as one pleases but to choose to serve or not to serve HIM.

I choose to acknowledge God and his righteousness. When found contrary to God's righteousness I am prompted by God the Holy Spirit to turn from unrighteousness and accept God's righteousness, that is, repent. To repent, means to be moving in the wrong direction and reverse one's self and go directly opposite.

Where it is apparent that social associations or relationships are leading people to conclude there is no difference in viewpoints it becomes necessary to sever those associations. In the Old Testament, when God tells his people to sanctify themselves he uses a word that also means to sever, as were the animals that were offered for sacrifice on the altar.

This is probably the most difficult part of separation. One must "distance himself" from the offending party to establish a witness to the truth. If the offense is from a close loved one, or a dear friend it is painful. It is comparable in the mind to committing that person to certain destruction. The most difficult lesson one learns from Scripture is he cannot decide for those he loves. In the final analysis each must make his own decision. It is impossible to will a person to accept truth.

God's love is such that he allows each to make that decision without interference. Is man's love for his fellow man greater than God's love for him?

The truth is separation forces them to consider your action. It could save an eternal soul. Each person must decide to deny or choose sanctification.

The separation in this case becomes literal, sometimes final.

Even so, where there is a need to help others in dire straits, the Christian is obligated to search for ways to help that will not compromise his sanctification.

Jesus was asked, "What is the first and greatest commandment?" He said, "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." He continued to say, "The second is like unto it, love one's neighbor as one's self." These become the definitive guiding principles in the Christian life. The "Law Giver" is established as the author of right and wrong. They are not arbitrary rules. Everything contrary to these laws is evil (sin).

To digress for a moment, there is no small sin. There is no good sin. There is no insignificant sin. Sin is only evil! The result of sin is always the same, death! "God is not indifferent to sin nor does he hold it lightly." He condemned it; "The wages of sin is death."

There is judgment in the act of sin itself. There is no waiting for it. Sentence has already been passed. For the unrepentant there is only the waiting for sentence to be carried out. "The gift of God is eternal life!" Confess, repent, believe and salvation follows.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Mt. 6:33-34)

The Christian becomes a steward to the Law Giver. The Christian "owns" nothing. It belongs to God. It is placed under the stewardship of the Christian who is responsible to the creator for its care and use. That which one never owned he can't lose.

"There are no pockets in a shroud!" The one unquestionable lesson taught by the opening of the Egyptian tombs of the kings is, "You can't take it with you." Leaving an inheritance is deceptive. When death occurs, who can say for sure his wishes will be carried out? Who can say the inheritor will keep that which has been entrusted to him? "The children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children," however. (II Cor. 12:14)

In conclusion, holiness is not the prime reason for sanctification; it is a by-product of it. Sanctification is for the purpose of making one's self an instrument for the Lord's use to declare the righteousness of God to a lost, dying world. Jesus Christ is God's righteousness to save "Adam's dying race."

The only inheritance one can leave that will be everlasting is a separated life dedicated to God in holiness. There may be those who choose to deny it, but they do so to their own personal destruction.