How Is It?

How is it that Professing Christians can live like Worldly men? 

How is it that There is So Little Distinction between the Church and the World?

How is it that Professing Christians can Indulge in the Same Pleasures, Act from the Same Motives, and Live in the Same Manner as the Godless do?

In the matter of Amusements, Professing Christians have gone far beyond what the Scriptures allow.

What is worse, the churches have now conceived the idea, that It Is Their Duty To Amuse The People. 

Churches who used to protest against going to the theater, now cause the theater to come to them!

I dare not touch upon what has been done at church bazaars and enticing fairs. 

If these had been arranged by secular people, could they have been any worse?

What folly has been left untried?

What absurdity has been too great for the consciences of those who Profess to be the children of God, and Not of the world; but called to walk with God in a Separated life?

Certain ministers are treacherously Betraying our holy religion under the pretense of Adapting it to this present age.

The new plan is to Assimilate the Church to the World.

By dramatic performances, they make houses of prayer to Mimic the theater. 

They turn their services into musical displays, and their sermons into mere discourses on self-improvement, and instructions on how to live a happy life.

In fact, they exchange the temple for the theater, and turn the Ministers of God into Actors, whose business it is to Amuse men.

This is their method: In order to win the world, the Lord Jesus must conform Himself, His people, and His Word, to the world.

I will not dwell on so loathsome a method.

Christian! Beware when the world loves you, lest that which attracts them towards you, is something that ought not to be there!

Beware when men of the world are very fond of your society, for then you must have surely gotten out of touch with your Master, who says, If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.

If you Belonged to the World, it would Love you as its Own.

As it is, you Do Not Belong To The World, but I have Chosen You Out Of The World. That is why the world hates you!

John 15:17  These things I command you, that ye love one another.

John 15:18  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

John 15:19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 

Do not Conform to the Pattern of this World, but be Transformed by the Renewing of your Mind.

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

~Charles Spurgeon