Letter from Cleve on Asceticism

"Your problem is Asceticism. This has plagued the saints in all generations. Are we to retire altogether from the world and have nothing whatever to do with it? Or where do we draw the line? 'If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.' Col. 3:1-2. What is condemned is not things on the earth, but “minding” earthly things. Phil. 3:19. “Loving” earthly things 1 John 2:15-17. 'The lust of the flesh' (carnal nature), 'the lust of the eyes' (carnal desire), 'and the pride of life' (carnal pride as opposed to humility). Does this not sum it all up? It is not contact or even involvement with the world that we are to avoid, but it’s the lust, it’s the sin. This is a thing which every man must settle for himself in his own conscience."