“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” — Romans 1:1

The individual who God has separated has entered a covenant with Him. It is a unique commitment, a lifestyle that most people would find intolerable and, by most believer’s observation and conclusion, unfair. One who has entered that covenant may often be troubled by the unfairness of it. Occasionally, they will reinforce their covenant with the reality that they cannot return to shallow religion. God does not separate someone who is considered unique or more spiritual than other believers.

It is not for being regarded as a vaunted sage uniquely honored by God. Most individuals separated to God go unnoticed. The reason for being separated unto God is because the work God intends to use the individual for requires a more significant commitment. What most professing Christians enjoy as standard perks must be avoided by the separated one. No time is wasted by indulging in entertainment or other interests that prevent complete focus on God’s will. That makes the separated one appear austere and even legalistic. It is an unavoidable consequence of separation.

People should be careful not to accuse or scorn the separated one. God has punished individuals who do the equivalent of rebuking His decision to separate someone to Him.

The choice to be separated is not forced on the individual but offered because God knows they are ready and willing to enter such a covenant. The Apostle Paul was separated to God while unwittingly opposing God. God struck Paul down to reveal his belief system, which included persecuting the followers of Christ, was wrong. When he realized he was wrong, he devoted himself to total commitment to God.

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God… — Romans 1:1

What could be so important that God would separate an individual in such a way? God wants a person with whom He can communicate. Have you ever tried to talk to someone whose mind is elsewhere? A double-minded person is unstable (James 1:2-8).

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” — Isaiah 26:3

Numerous professing Christians do not listen to God because they are distracted by many interests. They never hear the “go forth” or the “come hither.” When our minds become preoccupied with the world system, our relationship with God is totters on shreds of belief without communication. That becomes a finicky interest that cannot tower over the desires of our flesh. Such an individual is unsettled and uncommitted, resulting in never-filled emptiness.

God calls us away from the din and chatter of the world. When we surrender to the call, we recognize the former frivolity of our half-hearted attempts to have a religious relationship with Him. Everything is put in its proper priority. We will never desire to return to partial surrender. What person who has seen an ocean would ever again be amazed by a pond? Neither will we go back to enjoying partial intimacy while distracted by the lure of the world system.

If we study the individuals God separated to Him, they appear austere, aloof, non-conversational, and not someone you would attempt fellowship with. It is the manner in which people focus on intimacy with God. They pray for the purging of the hyssop (Psalm 51:7). In the quiet of brokenness and total surrender, God washes out the dredges hindering our struggle to be committed to Him. We will never be satisfied by vanity, and Solomon wrote that striving for fulfillment by the world system was all vanity. Satisfaction can only be found in answering God’s question, “(your name here), where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)