Pentecostals and the world

[KWSS1976]

I have a question I know the world is in bad shape but why do the Pentecostals put so much negativity towards the world..I was disussing with my wife the dress standards and she says she dresses like she does to be set apart form the "world" what is wrong with dressing like the world....why put so much negativity on the world??? Our pastor got on a worldy kick made it sound like the whole world was just horrrible why is that??

[drummerboy_dave]

I'm sure it wouldn't have anything to do with a superiority complex.

[n david]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

I have a question I know the world is in bad shape but why do the Pentecostals put so much negativity towards the world..I was disussing with my wife the dress standards and she says she dresses like she does to be set apart form the "world" what is wrong with dressing like the world....why put so much negativity on the world??? Our pastor got on a worldy kick made it sound like the whole world was just horrrible why is that??

Jesus was pretty negative towards the world Himself ...

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17)

[Michael The Disciple]

The Pentecostal Church is supposed to be like Jesus Christ. Some of his statements were very negative toward "the world".

19: And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19

7: The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. John 7:7

The world is an attitude of darkness.

19: And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. 1 John 5:19

He leads us to believe that his people alone are IN THE LIGHT.

He is the light of the world.

12: Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Without him the world would have no light period.

We are his Children. The Children of Light.

36: While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light.

In summation the world is already condemned. Our job is to let them know it. If they will repent and be baptized into Jesus Christ and be filled with the Spirit they can be saved. If not they will perish in the lake of fire.

Let Pentecostals be true disciples. Be lights shining in a dark place.

14: Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Phil. 2:14-15

Then Jesus our Lord will be pleased.

[KWSS1976]

See that the thing I don't but that scripture cause there are plenty of "men of god driving real nice vehicles I am talking jags and bmw to me you have a passon to drive a car like that why not get a pinto or a car that does not cost so much talk about loving the things in this world..LOL

[Esther]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

See that the thing I don't but that scripture cause there are plenty of "men of god driving real nice vehicles I am talking jags and bmw to me you have a passon to drive a car like that why not get a pinto or a car that does not cost so much talk about loving the things in this world..LOL

I think it has caused some unbalance.

You don't want to be like the world in actions and in extreme ways of dress, etc.

We are to be moderate in ALL things.

But I still contend that what the scripture means in being set apart is in how we respond to the way the world treats us, not in how we dress.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by KWSS1976

See that the thing I don't but that scripture cause there are plenty of "men of god driving real nice vehicles I am talking jags and bmw to me you have a passon to drive a car like that why not get a pinto or a car that does not cost so much talk about loving the things in this world..LOL

Yes I agree. Many Preachers and Church members love the nice things of the world. They are probably not his elect children. On the day of judgment he will sort them out. Until then the true disciples must be about making their calling and election sure.

[*AQuietPlace*]

I think Jesus is talking about our focus, where our heart is, what we truly LOVE. I don't think there is anything wrong with a Christian owning nice things. In the Old Testament, God seemed to be in favor of "blessings". There are numerous accounts of godly people having much "worldly gain".

But it's where our HEART is. Is that our goal, our focus, what is most important to us? The world's riches? We all know people who would be willing to walk all over people just to gain a dollar. That is sinful and wrong.

I know people who have nice houses and nice cars, who are also very giving and generous. They're always paying someone's electric bill, buying them groceries, giving them gas money... their hands are always busy giving, giving, giving. I also know some people with nice houses and cars who would walk right past a starving person and look the other direction. THAT person is a lover of the world more than a lover of God.

[KWSS1976]

AQP you said it very well thats why when the above scripture is quoted I do not see as the UPC does because everyone needs clothes,cars.houses etc I think the scripture get misinterpretated to conform to ones belief...

[Esther]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I think Jesus is talking about our focus, where our heart is, what we truly LOVE. I don't think there is anything wrong with a Christian owning nice things. In the Old Testament, God seemed to be in favor of "blessings". There are numerous accounts of godly people having much "worldly gain".

But it's where our HEART is. Is that our goal, our focus, what is most important to us? The world's riches? We all know people who would be willing to walk all over people just to gain a dollar. That is sinful and wrong.

I know people who have nice houses and nice cars, who are also very giving and generous. They're always paying someone's electric bill, buying them groceries, giving them gas money... their hands are always busy giving, giving, giving. I also know some people with nice houses and cars who would walk right past a starving person and look the other direction. THAT person is a lover of the world more than a lover of God.

I believe also God allows His children to have nice things. Abraham was wealthy as was his son. David was wealthy as a King.

But you must love God more than your things.