Someone has observed that the world is becoming quite "churchy". A more frightening observation is that the church is becoming quite worldly. The immodest dress of the world has made its presence known in the church. The world's music has slandered the worship of the church. The showmanship of the world has entered many a pulpit and the world's methods of recruitment have permeated the evangelism of the church.
Does God expect business as usual in the lives of those whom He has saved from a life of sin? Does God even hint at the idea that He expects no change in the life of the redeemed sinner? On the contrary, He clearly states that He does expect change. Read with me what He says: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:17). This is not a challenge to make this happen in our lives; it is a declaration that He makes it happen in our lives. It is not an option; it is standard equipment. If it is not a reality there is serious question about the "conversion".
God would make me hate the things I used to love as a sinner. I would hate my drinking and carousing. I would hate my lying and cheating. I would hate my profanity and vulgarity. I would hate my sensuous music and suggestive dancing. I would hate all my sins and the world's allurements. On the contrary, God would make me love the things I used to hate as a sinner. I would now love His awesome Person and the attributes which make Him what He is. I would love His Word and its convicting power. I would love His ways and His will for my life. I would love His commandments and His people who obey them. God would make this change in my life and it would show as a silent testimony to His saving grace.
If God has brought this kind of change in my life, why would I want to bring the world's dress, music, language, attitudes and methods into my church? Why would I want to use the world's tools to do God's work of evangelism? Why would I want to embarrass God by living like the world? The answer is, I wouldn't. If God had wrought that kind of work in me, the product of His work would be a new creature. Old things would have passed away and all things would have become new. My life and my worship would be appropriate for a child of God, redeemed by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ.