They “separate themselves” from sound faith by following corrupted speculations. They “separate themselves” from good works, inasmuch as they quit that faith which is the only genuine source of these works, and go astray after the miserable delusions of licentious indulgences. And in thus abandoning equally the right belief and the right conduct, they virtually “separate themselves” from the true Church. However they may still wear the name of Christian, they have no communion with Christ. In a word, they are “separatists” owing to their being “sensualists.” They love the indulgence of evil passions; and hence they hate the sacred influence that would restrain them. They are attached by habits or carelessness, of folly, or of sordid pursuits, to a life of irreligion; and hence they remain at a distance from the holy power that would out down all such ties, and introduce them to the habits of a new course. The faith of the gospel is too pure for them to adopt; and therefore if they assume the profession of its name, they must hold its principles under somecorrupted form. The practice of the gospel is too pure for them to follow; andtherefore if they still pretend to a compliance with its requirements, they comply under many abatements; and in fact do it under those mitigations to the strictness of duty, which actually amount to a dereliction of the Christian life. They “separate themselves” from the faith; because in practice they are “sensual.” The root of all the evil, however, is their “not having the Spirit.” (W. Muir, D. D.)
Separation from the Church
1. Separation or dividing ourselves from the fellowship of God’s Church is sinful, or a work of the flesh. The apostle describeth carnal persons, and of them he saith, “They separate themselves,” and accordingly the apostle reckoneth “seditions, heresies,” or sect-makings in the Church, among theworks of the flesh (Gal_5:20). Cain was the first separatist we read of. “He went out from the presence of the Lord” (Gen_4:19). God is everywhere: how from His presence? The meaning is, from the Church, where is the presence of His grace.
2. It is little for the honour of Christ that His body is crumbled into small bits and portions. A draft of wine is-best preserved in the hogshead, and Christians in their societies; coals lying together keep in the heat; apostasy began in forsaking the assemblies (Heb_10:23-25; 1Jn_2:19). Partly as to our outward peace andwelfare: separation sets others against us, and us against them. Religion, beingthe highest bond, when it is once violated, the breach is the more irreconcilable. (T. Manton.)
Having not the Spirit.
Sensual men
These two are contrary, “flesh and Spirit” (Gal_5:17), and they that cherish the one do necessarily banish the other, and as they enlarge the one they straiten the other. The Spirit is a free spirit, and sensual persons are very slaves; the Spirit is a pure spirit, and they are unclean; the Spirit is active, and they are of a dull and stupid nature; the Spirit worketh intellectual and chaste delights, and they are altogether for base pleasures: such a perfect contrariety is there between them.
1. Sensual men have little of the enlightening of the Spirit; their palate is better than their understanding(Eph_5:18). In marshy countries we do not expect a clear air; so sensual persons have seldom any clear thoughts of God: men given to pleasures can taste meats and drinks, but not doctrines.
2. Sensual men have little of the quickenings and efficacy of the Spirit; the more they dissolve and melt away their precious hours and spirits in pleasures, the more do they grow sapless, dead, and careless, and lose all tenderness of conscience and liveliness of affection; they quench the vigour of nature, much more do they quench the Spirit (Eph_4:19).
3. They have little of the comforts of the Spirit. The comforts of the Spirit arise from meditating on the works of God (Psa_104:34), or tasting His love (1Pe_2:3), or contemplating our great hopes (2Co_4:18). Now carnal men can relish none of this; they cannot exercise love, or faith, or hope, that they may delight themselves in God, and have some lively tastes of eternal life. When the soul lieth under the dominion of carnal pleasures, it is incapable of thinking upon God and His works, or relishing inward consolation; love is preoccupied. (T. Manton.)
