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On the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter concluded his great sermon
with these words -

Acts 2:40 - "...Save yourselves from this untoward generation."

The Scripture says that with "...many other words did he testify and
exhort..." In other words, Peter earnestly protested, admonished,
warned, entreated by arguments, and pleaded with the people to separate
themselves from the crooked generation in which they lived.

Oh! Where are the preachers today who like the Apostle Peter will
strongly urge the people of this age to use all diligence and effort to
deliver themselves from this perverse generation in which we live?
Where are those ministers who are charging the people to preserve themselves
from the influence, opinions, and fate of this corrupt generation?

How many are forsaking the society of the scoffers and profane of this
age? How many are separating themselves and distinguishing themselves
from the wicked around them? How many are truly breaking off from all
evil companions?

This is indeed an "untoward" generation. It is perverse. It is corrupt
in principle and wicked in conduct. Most of today's society are walking
contrary to God, wedded to sin, and marked for ruin.

As on the day of Pentecost, even so the words of the Holy Ghost are
ringing out throughout this age -

Acts 2:40 - "...Save yourselves from this untoward generation."

How do we as Christians do this? It can only be done by having a
determined purpose in our hearts and minds that nothing will hold us
back from the service of God.

Let's examine several Scriptures more closely that depict this firm and
fixed resolution to live holy for God in an unholy age - 

Psalm 119:115 - "Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the
commandments of my God."

Here the Psalmist was resolved to have no company with the wicked. He
very sternly declared to all of the workers of iniquity and the
unprincipled people about him, "Stay away from me. Don't try to stop
me. I am determined to obey God's commands no matter what."

Psalm 26:5 - "I have hated the congregation of evildoers; and will not
sit with the wicked."

In this particular verse, the word "congregation" means company. The
Psalmist said that he "hated" the company of those who oppose God. In
other words, he vehemently disapproved of their principles. He purposed
in his heart that he would not "sit with the wicked." What did this
mean? He would not partake with them in their amusements. Nor would he
associate with them or unite with them in their plans and purposes.

Proverbs 9:6 - "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of
understanding."

In order to separate from this perverse age in which we live, Solomon
gives us sound advice to leave behind all foolishness. We must forsake
it. Let it alone. Depart from it. Abandon it. Once we do, then we must
advance in the direction of the wisdom, understanding, and knowledge
found in God's Word. We must learn to be wise.

The Scriptures abound with verses dealing with the Psalmist's
determination to live godly in an ungodly age, to separate from
evildoers, and to obey God no matter what.

Psalm 26:4 - "I have not at with vain persons, neither will I go in
with dissemblers."

Psalm 101:2 - "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way...I will
walk within my house with a perfect heart."

Psalm 101:3 - "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the
work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."

Psalm 101:4 - "...I will not know a wicked person."

Psalm 119:8 - "I will keep Thy statutes..."

Psalm 119:57 - "...I have said that I will keep Thy words."

Psalm 119:63 - "I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of
them that keep Thy precepts."

Psalm 119:106 - "...I will keep Thy righteous judgments."

The message is still the same today. We must firmly resolve that we
will obey God's Word no matter what. We will have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.( Ephesians 5:11)
On the contrary, we will fellowship with those who fear the Lord. We
will live godly, wisely, and blamelessly before God and men. Then and only
then shall we rescue ourselves from the danger and destruction coming
on this wicked age.

Copyright 2001 by Connie Giordano