What makes us who we are?
 

As Pentecostals, most of us would consider themselves under that umbrella to some extent, what make us, well, us? Is who we are dictated by what we DO believe or what we DO NOT believe?

Think about it. As OP's we more times than not talk about things we CAN NOT do as opposed to things we DO. I would venture to say with good certainty that outside people know us by what we DO NOT do more so than what we DO. Several decades ago I think that it was different. Back then we were knows as holy rollers or tongue talkers. Now many different denominations are know as this as well. However, now we are mainly known by our DON'T's and not our DO's, IMO. Our women, for the most part wear skirts to the floor and hair the same. Not debating whether that is right or wrong though I am more of the mind those things don't matter, modesty as a whole does. But most of our friends and acquaintances would mostlikely say that they know more about our DON'T's than our DO's. Have we as Penetecostals become what we have feared? It is my opinion that our culture of who we are at our core is more about our DON'T's and not about what we DO.

Seems to me that most sermons I hear at district event and such is more of a rally the troops around what we believe and less about rallying around the one in whom we believe. Thank God that mky UPCI church is more along the lines of where we hardly ever talk about our DON'T's we talk about what God is doing in us and through us.

So what do you all think? Agree or disagree?? I would have made this a poll if I knew how too. Sorry this has been lengthy. Chim in everyone.

Re: What makes us who we are?
 

After 38 years in the UPCI I would say its the CAN NOT!!!

Re: What makes us who we are?
 

I am sorry to say, that in my neck of the woods, the cannot's have it.

Re: What makes us who we are?
 

The UPCI is caught up in self worship. Around here, they preach more about what we believe than Jesus.

Re: What makes us who we are?
 

Yeah I was affaid of what I already knew.....I am just a bit luckier than some. My church has become a pretty balanced deal. Truth is that being judgemental and more focused on the DO NOT's can and probably spells the end of that church, organization, etc.

Re: What makes us who we are?
 

There is also going around the mistaken idea that when the members of a church begin to get loose on the 'cannot's' then they frequently become loose on everything, even to becoming backsliders. It is the idea that as long as one holds to the 'cannot's', spiritually, everything will be OK.

No one seems to notice that a person changes their thinking patterns before they change their patterns of behavior, not afterwards. But I guess that is why all of those freedom and liberty scriptures in the Bible are almost never preached on. You cannot easily preach on these 'can do' things and the 'cannot's' at the same time. For example, how does one understand and apply Titus 1:15 to one's life and also for the general assembly? Or, the application of Colossians 2:20-23 to the church body?

Re: What makes us who we are?
 

There must be a balance. A happy medium. And it must be somewhere between the two points just to the left and to the right of ME! :lol

Re: What makes us who we are?
 

Sorry! I did not get the post 'cleaned up' before you quoted it. Had to 'fix' some spelling and grammar (English). Such is my lot of nimble fingers. :grampa

However, you are most correct. A balanced life is one where there is knowledge of 'right/wrong', the wisdom to know the difference between the two, and the understanding of how to live out the results in a manner that is pleasing to God. It is this precept that is so often missing from our church teaching (doctrines).