This is the true answer to the question, “How far may we mingle with the world?” As far and as often as we can witness for Jesus. Christ’s mission, as regards His people, was for this sole object: “That He might deliver us from this present evil world.” And therefore in pleading for conformity to the world, we plead for conformity to that, deliverance from which cost nothing less than the death of the Son of God. The practical question for the believer is, Should I have fellowship with that with which He has none? It becomes not only a matter of faithfulness to God, but of love for the souls of others. Let us test everything that the world holds dear by the glory of the coming day of power and glory of Jesus, together with His saints, in whom He will be glorified. With this before us, let our hearts decide whether we are ready to count all as dung, that we may win Christ.
True love for the souls of others will lead to a clear and distinct disavowal of all connection with the world, that the testimony may lead those who are involved in it to see their danger. But the charity, falsely so-called, of the present day is the most murderous principle of Satan, who first deceives and then destroys.
The days are few and evil; the long-suffering of God is waiting still, but we know not for how long. May He give us grace to do His work in the “little while.”
H. Borlase (adapted)