A Warning Against World Conformity (2)

Israel in former days was a people who had to live separately and was not allowed to be united with the heathen nations. That is also how it is with the Church of the New Testament. God’s Church must be separated from the world, also in her visual revelation. “Holiness becometh Thine house, O LORD, for ever.”

Alas, how has the glory of the Lord departed, even unto the steps of God’s house? The world came into the church, and God left the church. There are many complaints today that the truth has so little power. We seldom hear of true conversions or that God still works in the advancing of the faith of His people. The Lord maintains the life of His children, but that close communal life is so often missing. There can be such leanness in the soul of God’s children; how little is found of life which is fresh and blossoming in which they may proclaim that God is just. The greatest cause is that the world is in the church, and world conformity is so great that the glory of Zion has departed. Wisdom and reproof are missing in the gates of the city. Because of silence and living along with the world by God’s people, the door for the world to enter is opened more and more.

Certainly, the times are changing, but God is the Unchangeable One. His Word and Law maintain the same power and rule which they have always had. They remain the rule and guide of faith and life. When we no longer walk according to His Word, we will not have light upon our way.

We must not become conformed to the world in the gluttonous and excessive eating and drinking. The world says, “Let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we will die.” We must not live to eat, but eat to live. What the result is of excessive eating and drinking we can read in the history of Nabal. The belly and meats shall one day be done away with. Christ spoke of those being blessed who hungered and thirsted after righteousness. They, and only they, shall be satisfied.

We must also not be conformed to the world in our going out and about. We read of Sarah that she was in the tent, and her quiet, separated godly life is given us as an example for all women. Dina, the daughter of Jacob, on the other hand, is mentioned as a warning example for all young girls. She went out to visit the daughters of the land, and what a terrible destruction came over her; there were the bitter results for Hamor and Shechem and also for the entire city.

Oh, how many different types of entertainment has the devil prepared to occupy both young and old, to engage them in the idleness of the world, and to draw them away from the truth. The homes are empty, the roads and highways are full, and the places for entertainment and relaxation are fully occupied. The theaters are filled with people, and the football stadiums are visited by thousands. The bars are filled until late in the night, and young people are even taught dancing in the schools.

What terrible destructive and tempting times we are experiencing. The church is more and more placed in the background, and there is little or no interest in the catechism instruction. It is generally an exception if it is different. The knowledge regarding the truth and the pure foundations of salvation have become so sparse that “truth is fallen in the street.”

“Be not conformed to this world.” There is a pestilence which walketh in darkness and a destruction that wasteth at noonday. Many families do not want more than one, two, or three children. The families are kept small by artificial means. People do not want the burdens and cares of a family. Children bind us down too much and also give us too many financial concerns. The promises which God gives to those who walk in His ways are greater, yea, much greater, and surpass all the concerns and troubles of a large family.

Oh, confessors of the truth, consider that “the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.” There is written over against this that He will not leave unpunished those who transgress His commandments. It is also one of the reasons that God departs with His Spirit and hardens our heart under the ministration of His Word.

“Be not conformed to this world” by taking refuge unto the god of Ekron and unto the gods of this present-day world. Everything has to be organized. We must have our rights and have a dignified existence. Even from the socalled “Christian side,” propaganda is brought forth with all kinds of texts to try and justify it.

Certainly, the way is narrow, but where there is any comprehension of the truth, and it still makes an impression upon our conscience, we will destroy our soul by joining ourselves to those who are part of the world. Our life is in God’s hand, and all of our ways are in Him. He does not make ashamed those, even if it is only because of our upbringing, who have respect for God and for His Word and have some impressions in their conscience.

The times will come that no one will be able to buy or sell who does not have the mark of the beast, but no matter how fearful it will then become, the God of Elijah still lives, yea, He is the same. That we might humbly and freely place our trust upon God. Seek strength to remain standing beside that God who hears the ravens when they cry and who opens His hands and satisfies all those who live according to His good pleasure.

“And be not conformed to this world.” Also, in the going up and the time spent under God’s Word, do not cover your face as Jezebel did or as we read in Isaiah 3 of the vanity of the woman. Read the last part of that chapter with understanding, and you will realize how God dishonoring that sinful life was. Where there is but the least conviction in a conscience, and people still have some impression of the truth of God’s Word, nails will not be painted and lips will not be colored. If there is the fear of God in the heart, then there will be an aversion to all flaunting and “showing off” which is condemned in God’s Word.

Come to God’s house with modest clothing. Do not follow the fashions of the world. See that you do not upset God’s people and that it does not cause an obstacle in the heart of God’s servant in the preaching of God’s Word. Even when out in the streets of the town, let your clothing be far from being world conformed. Let all shocking behavior be far from us. Look at your picture in Romans 3, and the desire to embellish your looks with all of the fringes and baubles of the world will pass away.

Parents, be an example for your children. Children, listen to the admonishments of your mother, and do not mock with the warnings of your father. Do not mock with the warnings of your minister or your elders. Your last fashion statement will be a coffin. We are going to the grave where we will say “my mother and my sister” to the worms (Job 17:14). The flesh of the wicked will one day come to eternal destruction. God’s children will be brought in to their King in raiment of needlework adorned with the righteousness and holiness of Christ. Yea, one day they will walk about in white garments which have been made white with the blood of the Lamb.

Do not cast away this word of warning. Take it to heart, young and old, great and small. May God fill you and adorn you with His fear, and by means of regenerating grace ask, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” May our walk be in heaven, and from there to await our Saviour. “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

(This installment marks the end of this series.)

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