Quote:
Originally Posted by Garfield
Has the UPCI served it's purpose and destined to fad into oblivion.
Will the Org. continue as a force in the church.
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Do you drive a vehicle? Has that vehicle served its purpose?
Is there someone who takes vitimins, or has purchased special tools to help to accomplish a purpose? Have these things "served their purpose?"
Does someone work to provide income to pay bills, and supply the basic needs of life? Has this job served its purpose?
The UPC becomes a victim of excessive focus, sometimes. Were there some who assumed that God is restricted to use of the UPC? Were some supposing that what the UPC does or doesnt do will alter the chances of God doing His will?
Participation and contribution to the UPC, and its efforts is, and always has been voluntary. I have read many near hysterical reports of the evils of the UPC and likewise have sat amazed watching people who seem to want to climb to places of importance and power in the organization, not realizing what pressures and problems are waiting for them there. They truly do seem to be persuaded that the UPC has the eye and ear of God.
We need to be clear on a few matters, Apostolic people. If there is a good question, it is this: Is God even significantly aware of the UPC?
All organizations serve a purpose, and like the car you drive, or the vitimins you take, will continue to until the engine wears out, or the body perishes, or we run out of supply. With blessing, we will replenish the supply. We are aware of the purpose it serves. It is OUR responsibility to meet that need, not God's.
It is incumbent on us, as Christians, to organize, and to surrender our will to the Holy Ghost, who permeates through the great SINGLE body which is, the residency of the Lord God in this era. We must do this, somehow. If we can do it with the UPC, fine. But if not, we who are Christians will do this
somehow. This is a day for more passion and love for our neighbor, not less. We are called to greater surrender of our personal ideosyncracies, not less, and the Holy Ghost is working in each of us who make a sincere profession of Christ.
Is this a body that is wider than the UPC? Absolutely. But hear this clearly and soberly: It is also a body that is narrower than the UPC. These words should not encourage those who advocate plurality of doctrine, or who reduce the Apostolic doctrine to incorporate easy believism, or a non-separated Christian life, without instruction and standard.
I fully expect to see many of those who call themselves "liberals" today, grow convicted over the need of greater separation from the world, as they see personal losses and corruption up face to face. They will become willing to stand up and get in between the weaker saints, and the world, and help them to see how to live a stronger life in Jesus. They will find a new passion and vitality that they have lacked, and privately sought for at this time.
I also expect to see many who are grousing about how backslidden the UPC is to sometime soon, look around, and notice that their attitudes stink, and that they are an inch away from being condemned of rejecting the influence and presence of the Spirit themselves, and become considerably more practical. Theur churches will revive, and explode when this happens.
The UPC is simply a way for people to accomplish one of the highest callings that the Christian has - to be ONE.
May the Lord bless them who devote themselves to the betterment of fellowship and care for one another through this 'carnal" vehicle.
May God HELP them who are persuaded that spirituality is power, influence, and money, and live to control and dominate this orgnaization, and also those who are fearful of others within. They need to turn their eyes to Jesus or suffer the consequences of a loss of their first estate.
I love the UPC. It is a great organization consisting of great Christians. I do not care for what it is becoming, in many respects.
The wounds of a friend, delivered by the ...
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