I think the cheerful fellowship across the board is nearly impossible.
It happened more when I was younger, say 20 years ago. I'm in CA and it was much easier to fellowship then, even though not everyone agreed on every issue. That is not the case anymore, well, it hasn't been. I am hopeful that a change is coming.
No, God will definitely be looking at our hearts to see what the issues were.
Absolutely!
When it comes down to it, this old flesh will not enter heaven. And, what's unfortunate is that so many people place so much more emphasis on the temporal, rather than the eternal.
What does the Bible say we'll be judged by? Our words, our actions, our attitudes - and yet, for so many people that I know, those take a backseat to the hair length, the sleeve length, and the beard length!
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but this is just such an imbalance, based on the Word.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
When it comes down to it, this old flesh will not enter heaven. And, what's unfortunate is that so many people place so much more emphasis on the temporal, rather than the eternal.
What does the Bible say we'll be judged by? Our words, our actions, our attitudes - and yet, for so many people that I know, those take a backseat to the hair length, the sleeve length, and the beard length!
I don't mean to hijack the thread, but this is just such an imbalance, based on the Word.
I don't see eye to eye with you on everything but I suppose that's for another thread. I don't usually debate the outward things anyway.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I was just thinking recently that the UPC used to be a hugely growing church back in the day and I was wondering what has happened. I know that in our area, even the church that used to be big is now medium at best (used to run 500-600. Now they're lucky if they have 200)
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that back in day, people were looking for something more in their religious experience than what they could get in their mainline denominational churches. We were asking questions about things like tongues, the Holy Ghost, etc. Many of us didn't know enough to ask questions about things like Oneness/Trinity, or standards. But when we asked about the Holy Ghost, these other subjects just came packaged in the deal, so we accepted them lock-stock-and-barrel.
So now fast forward to today. Lo and behold there's a mega-church in almost every bigger city. And the UPC and others are declining. Why? Partly because they offer the exciting, vibrant worship services that the UPC has always offered, but without any of the baggage. No standards to worry about. No doctrinal issues to haggle over. Most are very accommodating. As long as you come and worship, it's ok.
In my mind, where I ended with this is that the UPC (and others) basically are going downhill because, while they may offer what the people want and need, they also require things that are not needed. Before people accepted those things because there wasn't any other choice. Today there are so many others choices.
You may disagree, and that's ok, but this is JMHO
Margerine,
You made some good points. I think probably the UPC, AOG, and COG have all been hurt in regards to growth over the last 30 years with the rise of the Charismatic movement.
There is no longer just a stark choice between old mainline denominations and older established Pentecostal ones.
Most towns have several very successful Charismatic churches who stress transformation and a personal walk / relationship with the Lord like the old Pentecostal denominations do.
UPC and AOG and other orgs aside, the Bible does say that people will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears. You can find a church to condone just about anything or any lifestyle today.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
UPC and AOG and other orgs aside, the Bible does say that people will heap to themselves teachers having itching ears. You can find a church to condone just about anything or any lifestyle today.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears
You are correct, and this works both ways.
Even when preachers challenge people to examine their traditions, many would rather fire the preacher than take a look at why they do what they do.
__________________ "Many people view their relationship with God like a "color by number" picture. It's easier to let someone else define the boundaries, tell them which blanks to fill in, and what color to use than it is for them to take a blank canvas and seek inspiration from the Source in order to paint their own masterpiece"
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