Is It Okay To Partner With The Devil’s Children?

This is the fifth in a series of posts regarding questions I’ve recently answered for churches searching for a new pastor.  This particular question (What is your view on ecclesiastical separation?) has to do with when…if ever…can the church and her members “partner” with apostate Christianity, non-Christians, or non-Christian organizations for the advancement of the gospel.

In other words, can the children of God partner with the devil’s children?

Occasionally believers ask how close they can get to the fire without getting burned.  But are we supposed to be rubbing shoulders with the fire, or running in the opposite direction?  That is what this question is all about.

Too often Christians, churches, and para-church organizations accept money, guidance, and/or assistance from non-Christians when promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ.  But is that acceptable according to what the Bible teaches?

Here is the question asked and below that is how I answered it.  Let me know what you think.  Am I right or am I wrong?  What did I miss or what should I have added?  Am I a heretic?  Please do tell…

[stextbox id=”custom”]What is your view on ecclesiastical separation?[/stextbox]

MY RESPONSE: I firmly believe that any person, church, denomination, or para-church establishment that refuses to submit itself to the authority and teaching of God’s Word is to be set apart (separated) from the true body of Christ. Thus, the true body of Christ, represented in local autonomous churches, should be separate from any and all such persons or groups and have no partnership with them in religious matters, whatsoever.

Such teaching is crystal clear in Scripture.  Paul wrote, “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:11-18).

The apostle Paul warned that we should consider “accursed” anyone that “should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you” (c.f. Galatians 1:6-9). It is the spiritual duty of genuine Christians and true churches to oppose any that believe or teach a “different gospel”.  Such persons, frankly, are to be considered our mission field…not our ministry partners.

I believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-5).

I believe that out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. I also believe that separation from all religious apostasy and worldly and sinful practices is commanded of us by God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 John 9-11).

I believe that genuine believers should be separated unto our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Hebrews 12:1-2) and affirm that the Christian life is a life of obedient righteousness that reflects the teaching of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:2-12) and a continual pursuit of holiness (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Hebrews 12:14; Titus 2:11-14; 1 John 3:1-10).