The exiles who had returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild committed themselves to be separate from the pagan cultures they came from. They knew firsthand the devastation caused by violating God’s commands and resisting His Kingdom culture. Possibly, their experience with contrasting lifestyles made it easier to make the wholehearted commitment to being separate from the ways of the world.

The challenge for Christian parents today is to maintain an authentic Christian lifestyle in the home so the children will follow their example without begrudging their separateness. Hypocritical legalism often causes children to spring into worldliness. Appropriate lifestyle choices and habits combined with an accurate and consistent application and understanding of scripture creates a home culture that has the best chance of maintaining a healthy separation from the world and its destruction.

READ/HEAR: Neh. 10, 12