“Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness, or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
2 Corinthians 6:14 (AMP)

There is a divine calling upon the Church—not just to gather weekly and sing songs, but to be set apart, holy, and distinctly unworldly. Yet many believers today are struggling to walk in separation from a world system that subtly or overtly denies Christ. From entertainment to business, politics to personal habits, the Church is increasingly at risk of fellowship with a realm it was delivered from.

The modern Church must recover the radical message of 2 Corinthians 6: “Come out from among them and be separate.” This is not legalism, isolationism, or superiority; it is the fruit of union with Christ, when we are dead to the world and alive in the Spirit.

Let’s examine what true separation looks like under the New Covenant—not outward rituals, but an inward holiness where Christ is our righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption.

The Call to Be Separate: Old vs New Covenant #

The command to be separate is not new. In the Old Covenant, Israel was told:

“Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.”
Leviticus 20:26 (AMP)

But this was an external holiness based on ritual, clothing, food laws, and temple service. In the New Covenant, the fulfilment is Christ Himself. Holiness is no longer garments and shadows—it is the Person of Jesus formed within us. As it is written:

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”
1 Corinthians 1:30 (AMP)

The types and shadows of the Old Tabernacle, priests, sacrifices, and separation laws—all pointed to a greater reality. Now, in Christ, we have become the temple, the priesthood, and the sacrifice (1 Peter 2:5; Romans 12:1).

The Meaning of ‘No Fellowship’ #

Let’s return to our foundation text:

“Do not be unequally bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness, or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
2 Corinthians 6:14 (AMP)

This verse is not about social avoidance or physical distancing, but spiritual communion. “Fellowship” in Greek is koinonia—a deep shared participation, joint life, or communion.

Paul uses contrasts: righteousness vs lawlessness; light vs darkness; Christ vs Belial. These are not mild disagreements—they are incompatible spiritual domains. Fellowship with the world is not just wrong, it’s impossible for the one filled with the life of Christ.

The Life of Separation: Christ in You #

The reason we separate from the world is not fear or pride—it is because Christ lives in us. His Spirit transforms our desires, conversations, conduct, and companionships.

“Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; And I will graciously receive you and welcome you [with favor].”
2 Corinthians 6:17 (AMP)

This does not mean quitting your job or avoiding unbelievers. It means walking in such intimacy with the Lord that His holiness flows through you, even while in the marketplace.

The Church is not a monastery. We are in the world, but not of it (John 17:14–16). Yet the line between in and of must be guarded by continual surrender to the Spirit.

Practical Areas of Separation #

1. Entertainment Choices
   Many forms of modern entertainment glorify sin, perversion, greed, and rebellion. “Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].” Colossians 3:2 (AMP)
2. Speech and Conduct “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word…come out of your mouth.” Ephesians 4:29 (AMP)
3. Moral Boundaries “For the grace of God…teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives.” Titus 2:11–12 (AMP)
4. Spiritual Compromise “You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend is being God’s enemy?” James 4:4 (AMP)

Fulfilment in Christ: The Real Separation #

• Shadow: Israel was separated by dietary laws and temple boundaries.
• Reality: We are separated through the cross and the indwelling Christ.

“Therefore Jesus also suffered outside the gate, so that He might sanctify the people through His own blood. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His contempt [the disgrace He endured].”
Hebrews 13:12–13 (AMP)

True separation is not isolation from sinners, but rejection of the world system—its pride, greed, lust, rebellion—and willing identification with a rejected Saviour.

The Church’s Mission from a Place of Separation #

Once separated, we are not stagnant—we are sent. Isaiah 54:3 says:

“For you will spread out to the right and to the left; and your descendants will take possession of nations and will inhabit deserted cities.”
Isaiah 54:3 (AMP)

When the Church is truly consecrated, the world sees Christ, not another version of itself. Only a distinct, crucified, Spirit-filled Church can bear lasting fruit.

Christ: Our Holiness and Separation #

Christ does not give us rules—He gives us Himself. He is our separation, because He is:

Closing Reflection #

Separation is not about legalism; it is about Lordship. Who owns us? Who fills us? Who speaks through us? If it is Christ, then the world system cannot define, distract, or defile us.

The true Church will never look like the world, because it looks like Christ, the rejected King.

In Christ,
Shaliach.