I.  IT IS THE LORD HIMSELF WHO CALLS TO A LIFE OF SEPARATION.
A.   Look at verse 2.
It is very important for us to see this. Sometimes Christians feel that they must not do a certain thing, or go to a certain place, because some other Christian regards it as wrong. We need to see that it is God to whom we are responsible in these matters; the Lord calls us to separate from all that is displeasing to Him, and to dedicate ourselves completely to Him so that we are available for His service. If we have a problem about this, our problem is not with the preacher, or the church, or our Christian friend, but the Lord Himself – verse 2!

II.  THE LORD CALLS BOTH MEN AND WOMEN TO LIVE SEPRATED LIVES.
A.    The Holy Spirit underlines it in verse 2.
The Lord has a two-fold need: for men and women who will each, in their separate spheres, live lives that are separated from all that is contrary to His will and dedicated wholly to Himself. He needs men who will live separated lives as husbands and fathers, and in their work in commerce, industry or professional life – everywhere; and he needs women who will live separated lives in their sphere, whether at work in the home, whether caring for family or busy serving their Lord in some other way.

III.  SEPARATION IS PRESENTED TO US AS A VOLUNTARY MATTER.
A.    In verse 2 we read the words “ separate themselves”.
There is no suggestion here that it is optional, though it should be noted that God does not force us to live separated lives. He appeals to us and commands us to be separated Christians, then leaves us to make our response to Him. Notice that this whole matter of separation from.. and to… is brought before us in Romans 12:1,2.

IV.  THIS SEPARATION IS FROM ALL FORBIDDEN THINGS.
A.   In the case of the Nazarite three things in particular were forbidden.
      1. Strong drink. (verses 3,4)
      2. Cutting or shaving their hair. (verse 5)
      3. Contact with any dead body. (verses 6,7)
There is , however, a much wider application of this truth to those of us who are Christians. The Lord has given us His Word, and we also have the Author of that Word dwelling within our hearts to interpret it to us; and in this written Word of God are contained God’s commandments to us so that we may not have any doubt as to how God would have us to live upon the earth. If we are in doubt as to whether a thing is right or wrong and will honestly come to the Word of God to seek an answer, relying on the Holy Spirit to direct our thoughts, we can be sure He will give us clear guidance in the matter.

V.  THIS SEPARATION IS UNTO THE LORD HIMSELF.
 A.  Compare verses 3 and 8.
This separation is not isolation. – see what Psalm 4:3 says! It is not separation to a cause, a church, a system, a denomination or a creed; it is separation to the Lord Himself. We get an illustration of this in Acts 13:2. In other words, it was separation to the Lord, and then separation to the task they were called to. Look up 2 Cor. 8:5.

VI.  IT IS A COMPLETE SEPARATION (OR DEDICATION) OF OURSELVES.
A.   Primarily God wants us – not our gifts,talents,time,money or service.
It is a grand thing to bring all of these things to the Lord , and He will accept them if they are presented to Him sincerely; but the gift He ask of each one of us is the gift of ourselves. He wants us to place ourselves utterly and absolutely at His disposal – look up Romans 6:13.

VII.  THIS SEPARATION IS TO BE FOR LIFE.
A.    In the case of the Nazarite, the vow of separation was for a short period, as verse 13 indicates; but in the case of God’s people who live in this present age, the days of our separation will only be fulfilled when we finish our earthly course. It is God’s purpose that the whole of our life upon earth, whether it be a matter of weeks, months, or years, should be lived entirely to His glory. Have we this vision?

VIII.  THIS SEPARATION NECESSARILY INVOLVES SEL-DENIAL.
 A.   Take the case of the Nazarite.
The fruit of the vine might be very sweet to his taste, but he must not touch it. And if even his father, mother, brother, or sister died, he must not go near their dead bodies. He could not even have his hair cut! All these things are symbolic, typical and indicative of real self-denial. Notice what is said in 1Cor. 6:12. There are many thing which are lawful for us, but it is not expedient that we as Christians should allow them in our lives. If we are to be determined to be separated men and women, by not touching the unclean thing, not living a worldly life, but living only for the Lord, whose we are and whom we serve (Acts 27:23), then we shall be fully prepared to make any sacrifice that will bring pleasure to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

IX.  FINALLY,SEPARATED LIVES CANNOT BE HIDDEN.
A.    As his hair and beard grew longer, the Nazarite would become more and more conspicuous, and everyone who saw him would say, “ Look, a Nazarite!” While God does not want us to look foolish, or
B.    (for example) to dress deliberately in unusual or outmoded clothes, He does want that in all the departments of our life there should be a clear evidence that we belong to Him and our His Children. Do others know, not only by the things we do not do but by the things we do, and by what we are, that we are the Lord’s people? Now look up – Heb.13:12,13 – the motive for a separated life!