Love Not the World - Show Them the Church is Different

The tragedy is that in many quarters the Church has accommodated itself to the spirit, methods and ways of this worldly age, and is consequently crippled in its spiritual influence and power.  No particular church can expect to influence the world, if, like the world, it has its social clubs, dramatic societies, cricket and football teams, cinema shows and concert displays.  Were our Lord to enter some churches as He did the Temple long ago, we feel sure that he would re-echo His stern message of condemnation - “Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise” (John 2:16).

The weapons of the Church are not carnal, but spiritual.  By prayer, holiness, faith and consecrated service, she is to win the world.  And, needless to say, the clearer and cleaner the mark of separation from those pursuits and ways that characterize the world, the greater is the influence and power she exerts.  Nothing is gained but all is lost by compromise, and many have proved to their sad cost.

Herbert Lockyer, All the Doctrines of the Bible, p. 265