Gary,Amen, great Post.As you listed the questions, I could check them all off, The only one that has not occurred yet is the last one, to which I say I am willing, although I do not know how strong I will be when I face it. Undoubtedly, many will face this soon, as the lawlessness is increasing by leaps and bounds in this country.If you take this thought a little bit farther, about the church not making its followers aware of the cost, Then you will see the seduction of the strong delusion. "conform to the world and you will be blessed". Is this not what the prosperity preachers are preaching? Is this not the means of control over the churches used by our current administration and courts? "Bake cakes for Gay couples, or go out of business", Or "Provide morning after pills, and abortions for your employees despite what your faith tells you to do". It is getting to the point that you cannot "buy or sell" unless you conform. How many churches now are preaching the "gospel of the tolerance of sin". And then they are praised for "taking a stand" by the media, and all the material blessings that follow.....Almost seems like they are blessed by God with prosperity.Then those who put to death the flesh, appear as though they are cursed, as they head into poverty for not conforming to the world. Friends and family turn against them mocking them and disowning them. But we who walk with the Lord, know the blessing that comes with this walk. They are treasures that the fires will not destroy. Ones that neither moth nor rust doth corrupt. In fact the greatest blessing of all, is that we become HIS TREASURED POSSESION! Amen!References:12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)13 “Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ 14 You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? 15 And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”16 Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. (Malachi 3:13-18)God bless.