Lesson 16. SEPARATE FROM CHRIST

You were separate from Christ (Ephesians 2:12)

When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians he reminded them that before they became Christians they were, among other things, separate from Christ. But the same words describe any and every person who is not converted to God as a Christian believer. It is bad enough to be without money, or without friends, or without health. But is far worse to be separate from Christ.

1. When can it be said that a person is separate from Christ?

This condition is not one that I have invented. It was the apostle Paul who first used the expression. No doubt many of the Ephesians were devoted worshippers of the goddess Diana. But Paul thinks nothing of that. Instead he describes the people as without Christ.

a) A person is without Christ when he or she has no knowledge of him . And millions, no doubt, are in this condition, for they have never once heard of him. There are thousands of people living in this world now who have no more idea of who Christ is. An unknown Christ is no Saviour.

b) A person is without Christ when they have no faith in him, even if they have some knowledge about him. There may be many who have some knowledge about Christ but they make no practical use of that knowledge. They put their confidence in something else. They may hope to reach heaven because of their moral character, or because they sometimes pray, or because they attend church. But they lack an active and trusting faith in Christ; they are separate from him.

c) A person is separate from Christ when the working of the Holy Spirit cannot be seen in their lives. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ (Romans 8:9). In order to be joined to Christ, knowledge, faith and the graciousness of the Holy Spirit are essential. Those who lack any of these must be separate from Christ.

I want you to think carefully about these three statements which I have just made. So many are ignorant of these things. So many are content to think they have `been kind to everybody' or that they have `done their duty'. They talk of `doing' and never of `believing'. If you think my statements are too hard and severe I must tell you that they are God's words and not mine. Who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16). So I must tell you these things, I long to tell everyone of the mercy and loving kindness of God that is available for those who will seek it, for I cannot find anywhere in the Bible that the ignorant, or the unconverted, or the unbelieving are anything other than separate from Christ.

2. What is the actual condition of a person who is separate from Christ?

I can imagine someone saying, `Well, if I am separate from Christ I am no worse than many others. I hope God will be merciful and that things will be alright at the end.' I want to try to show such people that they are sadly deceived.

a) Separation from Christ means separation from God, for Christ is the only one who can introduce to God ignorant and sinful people who have turned their backs on him who is their Creator. The holy nature of God is described as `a consuming fire' to those who are separate from Christ. If we keep ourselves separate from Christ we cannot come close to God. Jesus himself said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well (John 14:6).

b) To be without Christ is to be without peace. Everyone has a conscience within them, which must be contented if they are to have peace. In some people the conscience may be half dead, or asleep in which case it does not cause them much discomfort. But as soon as a conscience has been awakened and is aware of past failings and future judgement, that person finds that something is needed to give inner rest.
   There is only one thing which can give peace to a troubled conscience. A clear understanding that Christ's death on the cross was an actual payment for our sins, and that the merit of that death is given to us when we believe, is the grand secret of inner peace! Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
   
   c) To be without Christ is to be without hope. Most people have some sort of hope for themselves in the next life. But very few can give a reason for the hope that they have (1 Peter 3:15). Such vague hopes will fail to be of use in the moment of greatest need, the moment of death. The only hope worth having is the hope which relies upon Christ and what he has done as our Saviour. There is no such thing as a good hope separate from Christ.
   
   d) It follows from what I have already said that to be separate from Christ is to be without heaven! I do not merely mean that to be without Christ means that you cannot enter heaven, but also that you would be very unhappy if you were there. The joy of heaven is to be with Christ. How can anyone dream of a heaven without Christ? In every description of heaven which the Bible gives us, the presence of Christ is one essential feature. A heaven without Christ would not be the heaven of the Bible.
   
   I could easily add to these things. I could tell you that to be without Christ is to be without life, without strength, without safety, without purpose in life, without a basis for life. There are none so badly off as those without Christ! What the root is to the branches, or the air is to our lungs, as food and water are to our bodies ? all this and more Christ is intended to be to us. Nothing is so pitiable as to be without him!