Watch this video first:
Ok, nobody freak out! I’m not becoming a Mennonite, or Amish, etc. :) But I do have to confess the level of respect I have for our Anabaptist brothers and sisters at least in this: they aren’t afraid to stand out from the world.
I’ve been saying for a long time (and lamenting over the sin in my own life) that the Western church is very carnal, very worldly. Despite the Scriptures…
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Rom 8:6-7)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
…we truly love the world. We copy the world and resist most teachings that admonish us to pull away from worldly things for the glory of God.
Look at this video. Look at the stark contrasts. Stay with me now. Beyond styles of dress and songs, what kind of courageous hearts must it take to be this different from the world in the midst of the world?
One can literally and metaphorically see the way the church is supposed to brightly shine, in holiness and love, in the midst of the culture.
Look, this isn’t about being just like them. Please no one be offended. I just wanted to say I have crazy respect for these brothers and sisters, particularly in this day and hour.
Respect!
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)
