Cornerstone

The concept of separation can have either a negative or a positive connotation. If separation is perceived as being deprived of something desirable then it would be considered negative. If it was perceived as isolated so that it caused the individual to be ineffective disallowing a purpose for life then it would be thought as detrimental to the person’s well-being. On the other hand, if separation is perceived as allowing the individual to be a part of an elite group so that their focus is not obscured or their efforts diverted then it would have a positive connotation. When we consider separation coupled with holy living it can take on either a negative or a positive connotation. What is the reason a person is separated in the holy life? Are we to isolate ourselves from the world like a monk in a monastery? Do we separate ourselves so that we can keep aloof from those who do not meet our standard of dress or behavior? Do we separate ourselves because we think that we might be polluted by any association with those who are not holy? Do we separate ourselves because we are secretly afraid that we are inadequate to cope with the questions that the sinner might ask about our beliefs or lifestyle? Do we separate ourselves from the world because we don’t really want to be bothered by people who don’t agree with the life that we live? What is our motive for living the separated life? Is it possible to obey the scriptural directions carefully about the separated life in such a way that we are wrong?

By Dr. Gayle Woods

Psalm 51:1-19 (14)

 [14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

The idiot lights on the dashboards of our car are placed there for a purpose and yet often they are ignored.  Maybe you like others have taken a piece of electrical tape and covered up the light so it would not be so annoying.  Guilt is like the red warning light on the dashboard of the car. You can either stop and deal with the trouble, or cover up the light.  The only way to find peace in the matter is with the cry of the Psalmist, “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God”  Coco Chanel a French Fashion designer though not a Christian understood the dynamic of guilt when he said, “Guilt is perhaps the most painful companion of death.”  He probably was describing the pain of his own soul.  One of the rewarding advantages of salvation from sinfulness is a complete dissipation of guilt.  Minnie A Steele expressed this divine relief when she penned the immortal words to her hymn.

 I remember when my burdens rolled away;
That I feared would never leave, night or day.
Jesus showed to me the loss,
So I left them at the cross;
I was glad when my burdens rolled away.

Dr. Gayle Woods