When God called His people to be “set apart”, I don’t think He meant for us to be cruel, unforgiving, and spiteful to an unbelieving world.
Peter writes:
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. [1 Peter 2:15-17 KJV]
As a church, we are to accept the sinner [but not the sin], we are to love each other within the church [not just during scheduled times of worship], we are to pray for our leadership [whether we voted for them - or agree with them or not], and above all else, we are to fear God.
We will truly be “set apart” if we can live out that kind of an example to those around us. Peter knew this from experience, he was formerly rambunctious, short tempered, and impulsive. It wasn’t until he completely submitted to God that a change took place in his demeanor. If we haven’t felt that change in our own lives, it should tell us something - there is still more work to be done in ourselves. We hear about salvation, but we shy away from sanctification - or being filled with the Holy Spirit. We all look forward to going to heaven - but we can also live victoriously in the world today.
Pastor Ralf Bergmann