We can evangelize or socialize. It all depends on whether you are saved or not.

The Following and the Leaving

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” ~ Genesis 12:1

The Lord never changes (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). I see this command by God the Father to Abram as the same command as Jesus’ command when He said to people, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; etc.). God the Father told Abram to leave all and follow Him, and so did Jesus (Matthew 10:37; 19:21; Mark 8:34; etc.).

However, don’t miss the dual meaning of this thing called “separation.” It is not just separation from, but also separation unto. As a matter of fact, if you will put your full energy behind following the Lord and loving Him with all your heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5; Mark 12:30), much of what God would have you to separate “from” will begin falling away like leaves in autumn. Maybe that is yet another reason why Jesus said it was the first and greatest commandment.

True, Abram did not fully obey at first (He took Lot with him—which caused him much trouble later, until Abram finally sent him away). Neither did the disciples, who deserted Jesus at His arrest and went back to fishing after Jesus was buried. However, both Abram and the disciples eventually got it right, and God blessed them all beyond anything they could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Some take the “separation from” as their primary doctrine in separation, but—as usual—love trumps all else. Turn the eyes of your soul upon Jesus and His wonderful Face, and Love Him with your all; then “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”