Well said. But don't you find it rather ironic that when someone, like myself, advocates the putting away of worldly things which have been openly received into the Church it is the church at large which becomes the adversary? The modern church has openly adopted the world to such an extent that is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the two. "I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." (1Cor 9:22) has been violently ripped out of context so as to justify bringing the world into the church and especially in the area of worship. Retreat isn't an option for the Church and nowhere is retreat to be found in Scripture. Elijah tried that and was confronted by God for doing so. Christ will build His Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. Persecution by the world is what God has ordained for the true Church. In fact, Paul taught that this is true for every one who has been called of God out of this world or darkness into the glorious light of the Lord Christ. 2 Timothy 3:12 (ASV) "Yea, and ALL that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (cf. Gal 6:12). Bringing worldliness into the church and/or into one's own life only serves to reveal one's spiritual state. The visible church will be purged of the tares and the wheat will be revealed and preserved by the mercy and power of God. Let's not ignore what our Lord said about the future of His Church:

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Mark 13:14-22 (ASV) "But when ye see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains: and let him that is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out his house: and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that it be not in the winter. For those days shall be tribulation, such as there hath not been the like from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never shall be. And except the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the elect's sake, whom he chose, he shortened the days. And then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is the Christ; or, Lo, there; believe [it] not: for there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, the elect."
Flee? to where, may I ask? "We are the world... We shall assimilate you... Resistance is futile!" igiveup


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simul iustus et peccator

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