A Refuge From The World A refuge from the world. That is what a church should be. A little bit of Heaven in a sin-filled world. A place for sinners to get saved. A place for Christians to come together and worship God. A church really should be a refuge from the world. It should not be separated from the world in the way that a monastery is separated from the world. No, that is closing out the world. Jesus wants His church to be light and salt -- a place that stands for truth. Jesus wants His Church to a beacon in the night saying, "Come here and find Jesus". Jesus wants His Church to be a refuge from the sin of this world. Of course, not everyone wants the church to be a refuge from sin. Some, like Rick Warren and the late Jerry Falwell have wanted the church to be very much like the world, with the atmosphere of a theater, night club, or other den of iniquity. No, such people do not want a refuge from the world. They want the world, and they want it right inside the church. Jesus said that those who love the world are the enemies of God. Those who want to bring Hollywood and its worldly television shows and movies into the church and fellowships know where they stand. They stand with the Babylon of Hollywood. They therefore stand against Jesus and the Bible and they love sin instead of God. And how about you? Chances are that you are indeed the enemy of God. Most church-attendees these days are enemies of God. They are God's enemies because they have never had their heart changed. They still love Hollywood and its filthy R-rated movies. They still love television. They still love the world. They have never been born again. Have you been born again? Many have heard about this "born again" experience, but few really know what it is. Some think that it means that you have "prayed a prayer" or "walked an aisle". Others think that it is a mental state or a set of beliefs. If you ask 10 people what being born again is, you might very well get 10 different answers. You see, few people really know what is to become "born again". Being born again means that you have trusted Jesus to save you from your sins. It does not mean that you have trusted "that" Jesus died for your sins. Being born again means that you have actually trusted Jesus Himself to save you from your sins. Bible doctrines never saved anyone. Only Jesus Saves. Are you are tired of living a life of sin and being cut off from fellowship with God? Then turn from your sins and come to Jesus today. Trust Jesus Christ. Jesus will cleanse you of all of your sins and give you a new heart -- a heart that loves God, not sin. You will be "born again". Why not trust Jesus today? If you put it off, then you will in all probability go to Hell when you die, as God's judgment for your sins. Trust Jesus today. Then get into a good Fundamentalist Baptist church and live for Jesus. Put Jesus and the Bible first. And may God bless you as you do it!
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