--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While the church as church refrains from…" description: "\"“While the church as church refrains from entering secular forms, its influence is felt in these forms through the influence of individuals who have be..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-l-saucy-87434_bible_while-the-church-as-church-refrains-from_1540700.jpg" --- # While the church as church refrains from entering secular… ![“While the church as church refrains from entering secular forms, its influence is felt in these forms through the influence of individuals who have been transformed by the Word. The member of the church lives not only in the church but in the secular forms of the world. In these structures of…” quote by Robert L. Saucy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-l-saucy-87434_bible_while-the-church-as-church-refrains-from_1540700.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-l-saucy-87434_bible_while-the-church-as-church-refrains-from_1540700.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/059/robert-l-saucy-87434_bible_while-the-church-as-church-refrains-from_1540700.jpg) > ““While the church as church refrains from entering secular forms, its influence is felt in these forms through the influence of individuals who have been transformed by the Word. The member of the church lives not only in the church but in the secular forms of the world. In these structures of human society he is called to a supernatural life, witnessing to the world the reality of the power of the gospel to change the characteristics of this fallen life into those of the life to come. Through every member’s attitudes and actions in the world, so different from those of the world that the supernatural is required for their explanation, the church bears witness to her Lord. The effect of this witness is described as being-light to the world and salt to the earth (Mt 5:13-16; Phil 2:15). As such, it will most certainly have a beneficial effect upon society. But the transformation of the world is not the ultimate goal. Neither the Lord in His ministry nor the apostles in theirs set about to reform society as an end in itself. As a matter of fact, if the reformation of the world was envisioned, the injunctions to be separate from it would be pointless. The final end of the church’s witness of good works is revealed everywhere in Scripture as that of causing others to acknowledge God and glorify Him (Mt 5:16; 1 Pe 2:12; 3:1). In this function good works are linked to evangelism in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Thus the total church witness is born when the Word is proclaimed in all its fullness and application to all areas of men’s lives, and then lived by each believer in the contacts with the world in which the Lord of the church has stationed him for a witness.”” [Robert L. Saucy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-l-saucy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The church should influence society through transformed individuals, not by reforming it directly; its witness is to point others to God. **In simple terms:** Christians live out faith in everyday life, showing God's power. Key Takeaway Live faithfully in all spheres. Themes faith witness society transformation Mood hopeful serious Type theological practical When to use this quote - workplace - family - public policy - community service Key Concepts evangelism salvation spiritual authority Questions to Reflect On - How can believers balance cultural engagement with spiritual distinctiveness? - What does “salt and light” look like today? A Different Perspective If the church tries to control culture, it may lose its prophetic edge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Church Witness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church-witness-2057182/) [Matter of fact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter-of-fact/) [Member Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/member-church-938376/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Ultimate goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate-goal/) [Witness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witness/) [Witness Lord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witness-lord-3874385/) [Witnessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witnessing/) ## Related quotes > [The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion primarily because it is the most extended and definitive witness we have of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-book-of-mormon-is-the-keystone-of-our-religion-primarily-because/) [Jeffrey R. 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Through every member’s attitudes and actions in the world, so different from those of the world that the supernatural is required for their explanation, the church bears witness to her Lord. The effect of this witness is described as being-light to the world and salt to the earth (Mt 5:13-16; Phil 2:15). As such, it will most certainly have a beneficial effect upon society. But the transformation of the world is not the ultimate goal. Neither the Lord in His ministry nor the apostles in theirs set about to reform society as an end in itself. As a matter of fact, if the reformation of the world was envisioned, the injunctions to be separate from it would be pointless. The final end of the church’s witness of good works is revealed everywhere in Scripture as that of causing others to acknowledge God and glorify Him (Mt 5:16; 1 Pe 2:12; 3:1). In this function good works are linked to evangelism in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. 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