we shall thereby be separated from those things which are not well pleasing to Him. It is

quite possible for a person to be separated from the things of the present age, and yet not

separated to God. Such a person may have all sorts of reasons for becoming separate

from the world, indeed, is this not what so many `drop outs' are in fact seeking to do?

They have become disillusioned by the things of the world, tired of the speed of modern

life, and from such things they have separated themselves, and not infrequently they have

separated themselves to drugs and the like. God desires those who are His to separate

themselves to Him.

James has a word of warning which is particularly applicable to some forms of

`evangelism'. In chapter 4: 4 he has this to say:

Let us note that the word translated `will' is the one we have mainly considered in this

article, purpose, intent. Whoever intends to be a friend of the world, James tells us, is the

enemy of God. Surely a very sobering thought, when so many today are advocating

friendship with those in the world, with the consequent use of the methods of the world,

in order, so they claim, to bring the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. How very near

they may be coming to enmity to God.

As we started in the previous article, the knowledge of the will of God is not the easy

matter some would have us believe. We must distinguish between His purpose, or intent,

and His wish or desire. As we realize His purpose we find security, strength and

confidence in Him, and surely by so doing, it should be our intent to fulfil His desires for

us. In the light of His purpose made plain in Christ Jesus, the mercies of God, we should

offer ourselves as living sacrifices, that we may fulfil His desire to be separated to

Himself.

In our last study we distinguished between the desire, or wish of God, and His Purpose

or Intention. For most believers the problem is to know what is the wish of God for

them, in their particular circumstances. This is no easy matter, and in the last resort is a

matter entirely for the individual to decide in the light of prayer and study. There are

however, certain clear guidelines in the N.T., which may be helpful in coming to a

decision. Twice we read "For this is the will (or desire) of God" (I Thess. 4: 3; v 18),

and once "For so is the will of God" (I Pet. 2: 15). The first concerns sanctification, the

second giving of thanks, and the third submission to lawful authority.

We have briefly considered sanctification in an earlier study, and we saw that

sanctification is a matter of separation, and that not so much from anything, as to God.