08/09/2026
From this morning’s powerful sermon ⬇️
“THE LAW OF SEPARATION”
August 9, 2026
From the very beginning, God established a law of separation. ⛓️‍💥
“And God divided the light from the darkness.” — Genesis 1:4 🗡️
And He is still separating light from darkness today.
If God is truly working in your life, there will be times when the Law of Separation begins working in your life, too.
Look throughout Scripture.
Noah was separated from the population of the world. đź’§
The Hebrews were separated from Egypt. 🩸
Abram was told to separate from his country, his kindred, and his father’s house. Later, before God moved Abraham into the next phase of His promise, there had to be a separation from Lot. It was after Lot separated from him that the Lord told Abram to lift up his eyes and look at the land He had promised him. (Genesis 13:14–17)
Paul and Barnabas reached a point of separation over John Mark. Paul went forward with Silas, traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches—and into the missionary work God had set before him. (Acts 15:36–41) 👣 👣
Even our children cannot fully step into adulthood, establish their own homes, and walk into their own callings without a healthy separation from their parents.
Separation is not always destruction. Sometimes, separation is preparation. 🪔
I have watched this happen several significant times in my own ministry.
Before God commissioned a new phase of ministry, there was first a season of separation.
And separation required something from me.
Obedience. 🤲
Consecration. 🧎
A dying to my own plans, ideas, attachments, and expectations. ❄️
But every time, there was LIFE on the other side. 🌱
What followed those seasons was a greater work—a fresh anointing and a manifestation of the power of God for His glory in ways I had not experienced in the previous season. Hallelujah. 🔥
There were Kingdom assignments ahead that could not have happened without the separation that came before them. ⚔️
Because separation brings consecration.
God calls us to separate ourselves from worldliness itself — and often that worldliness pulling you is dressed up a religious.
The Church was never called to LOOK like the world, DRESS like the world, TALK like the world, or continually reshape itself to gain the approval of the world.
“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” — Romans 12:2
Holiness means there should be a DISTINCTION.
Without holiness, no man (or woman) shall see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:14)
Without faith, no man (or woman) shall please the Lord. (Hebrews 11:6)
That distinction should be seen in our conversation, our conduct, our relationships—and yes, even in the way we present ourselves.
Scripture calls Christian women to “adorn themselves in modest apparel” and calls every believer, man and woman, to a life that reflects godliness rather than the spirit of the age. (1 Timothy 2:9–10)
There may come a time when following God requires separation from influences—even “religious” influences—that continually pull us toward worldliness, compromise, immodesty, and conformity to the culture around us.
Not everyone will embrace that. And that’s okay.
Often, they will separate themselves because of it.
We can minister to the world without imitating it.
We can welcome and love the sinner without allowing the world to redefine holiness.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…” — 2 Corinthians 6:17
God has always called His people to be a SEPARATED people. ⛓️‍💥
Not because we believe we are better than anyone else, but because we belong to CHRIST.
“Be ye holy; for I am holy.” — 1 Peter 1:16
Separation produces consecration. And consecration prepares us for the work God has called us to do.
Sometimes we fight to hold together what God Himself is separating. We assume that because something—or someone—was part of the last season, it must also be part of the next one.
But when God decides to move, we must move with Him.
Jesus taught that there is nothing we surrender for the Kingdom of God that will go unrewarded:
“Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”
— Luke 18:29–30
When God is consecrating a life for a significant work and calling, there will often be a season of necessary separation.
Don’t despise it, beloved.
Don’t automatically assume something has gone wrong.
Ask God what He is separating you UNTO.
Because there may be a promise, a calling, and a greater manifestation of His purpose waiting on the other side. Amen.
Be encouraged,
Pastor Nathan Smalley
