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A brother and I were talking about church life, and he mentioned that our fears push us
to isolationism.. a fortress mentality.. instead of engaging the culture. Yes, I think so...but perhaps more than fear , it
is Comfort. In church we find edification and exhortation. It has both a good effect and a dulling effect, much like sleep
or food. Our bodies require these for rest, proper health and function. Too much sleep or food and we become dull and soft,
almost wasting away. Our bodies also require exercise and induced stress to grow and strengthen. So in church, we become comfortable,
which can become a snare, because fear can then be introduced when our spiritual muscles are weak and flabby. Self enjoys
the comfort and does not want to leave, fear when it comes reinforces those impulses. We retreat behind the walls and devise
defensive schemes that on the surface seem justified and true but are only a smoke screen for the truth. But strong meat belongeth
to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb
5:14. True comfort is not found self- gratification, but only in the spirit man of God gratification. I looked at how Paul
viewed comfort...Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus,
because his spirit was refreshed by you all. 2Co 7:13. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of
you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 2Co 7:4. Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect,
be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 2Co 13:11. If there be
therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Phi
2:1. All these refer to the comfort that can only be found in God. There is a vast difference between being comfortable and
comfort. One is a counterfeit and a lie, the other pure truth and love. So in my view, many brethren are confined prisoners
of war. They have been stripped of some weapons of spiritual warfare, and they are holding pea shooters and slingshots. Thanks
for letting me ramble..yes indeed, the emerging underground church well may be the fuse that lights the keg. Blessing. Les
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