[scotty]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

At face value, I would say I agree. We should never compromise our convictions in order for us to have "harmonious relationships" with others. However, I find it necessary to withhold full agreement until I know what he's referring to as "holiness". By "holiness", is he referring to UPC "standards"? Standards do not always equal "holiness". The two terms are not necessarily the same.

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Exactly. I thought it was self definitive. Nothing is more important than obeying God's will.

I agree with the statement for the reasons bolded above. Whether he was talking about "standards" or not, each has their own convictions, if convictions are to be defined as the will of God in our own personal lives the I agree with the statement in full.

Of course the harsh truth here is what anyone wants to make of it. That will depend on who you are and what attitudes you may have with UPC. Notice this same sentence.

I did not say that he was fat. (Meaning someone said it, but it wasn't me.)
I did not say that he was fat. (Meaning I was misquoted.)
I did not say that he was fat. (Meaning he obviously is fat, but I wasn't impolitic enough to say so.)
I did not say that he was fat. (Meaning, I was talking about someone else.)
I did not say that he was fat. (Meaning, I merely pointed out that he is wider than he is tall. I might have used the word "stocky.")

There is a positive message in what he said, it's just whether you want to look at it that way or not.