Something I read this morning that I thought might be of interest to the forum.
“We all know that as Christians we are called to ‘come out and be separate,’ that our faith and spiritual commitment should make us different somehow. But if we are not marked by greater and greater amounts of love and joy, we will inevitably look for substitute ways of distinguishing ourselves from those who are not Christians. This deep pattern is almost inescapable for religious people. If we do not become changed from the inside out – if we don’t morph – we will be tempted to find external methods to satisfy our need to feel that we’re different from those outside the faith.
Groups have a tendency to be exclusive. Insiders want to separate themselves from outsiders. So they adopt boundary markers. These are highly visible relatively superficial practices – matters of vocabulary or dress or style – whose purpose is to distinguish between those inside a group and those who are outside.”
The Life You Have Always Wanted – John Ortberg
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"Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow." ~Aesop
Something I read this morning that I thought might be of interest to the forum.
“We all know that as Christians we are called to ‘come out and be separate,’ that our faith and spiritual commitment should make us different somehow. But if we are not marked by greater and greater amounts of love and joy, we will inevitably look for substitute ways of distinguishing ourselves from those who are not Christians. This deep pattern is almost inescapable for religious people. If we do not become changed from the inside out – if we don’t morph – we will be tempted to find external methods to satisfy our need to feel that we’re different from those outside the faith.
Groups have a tendency to be exclusive. Insiders want to separate themselves from outsiders. So they adopt boundary markers. These are highly visible relatively superficial practices – matters of vocabulary or dress or style – whose purpose is to distinguish between those inside a group and those who are outside.”
The Life You Have Always Wanted – John Ortberg
Excellent thought. Thanks for posting this.
__________________ "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"
good post. agreed. I wonder what exaclty the apostles did to "come out and be separate".
__________________ If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart...
Abraham Lincoln
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. - Eph. 4:29
good post. agreed. I wonder what exaclty the apostles did to "come out and be separate".
They separated themselves from sin in all its many venues and the attitudes of the world.
Personally I quit going to bars and dance clubs and a few other things I'd rather not name.
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His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
They separated themselves from sin in all its many venues and the attitudes of the world.
Personally I quit going to bars and dance clubs and a few other things I'd rather not name.
Extremist!
__________________ "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"
Something I read this morning that I thought might be of interest to the forum.
“We all know that as Christians we are called to ‘come out and be separate,’ that our faith and spiritual commitment should make us different somehow. But if we are not marked by greater and greater amounts of love and joy, we will inevitably look for substitute ways of distinguishing ourselves from those who are not Christians. This deep pattern is almost inescapable for religious people. If we do not become changed from the inside out – if we don’t morph – we will be tempted to find external methods to satisfy our need to feel that we’re different from those outside the faith.
Groups have a tendency to be exclusive. Insiders want to separate themselves from outsiders. So they adopt boundary markers. These are highly visible relatively superficial practices – matters of vocabulary or dress or style – whose purpose is to distinguish between those inside a group and those who are outside.”
The Life You Have Always Wanted – John Ortberg
Baron Von Frankenstein,
A historical example of this that we could all learn from would be cloistured nuns in the Roman Catholic church.
While they were supposed to be the epitime of Christianity anybody who attended a Catholic school run by nuns will tell you most of them were very stern and dictorial. Their seperation from the world was more the black habit they wore than the fruit of the Spirit.
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
It seems to me that the separation from the world has more to do with our worldview, our lifestyle, and our attitudes than it does mere outward appearance issues.
(Btw, Miz, I meant to say the other night that I realize the Sanhedrin didn't physically write new Law. I meant that they created new law thru their interpretations, much like our Supreme Court does. So they added to it. Meant to write that the other night but forgot. My bad.)
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"Most human beings are not able to stand the message of the shaking of foundations. They reject and attack the prophetic minds, not because they really disagree with them, but because they sense the truth of their words and cannot receive it." Paul Tillich
It seems to me that the separation from the world has more to do with our worldview, our lifestyle, and our attitudes than it does mere outward appearance issues.
(Btw, Miz, I meant to say the other night that I realize the Sanhedrin didn't physically write new Law. I meant that they created new law thru their interpretations, much like our Supreme Court does. So they added to it. Meant to write that the other night but forgot. My bad.)
I was beginning to wonder what they were teaching you in seminary!
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His banner over me is LOVE.... My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
To be a servant of God, it will cost us our total commitment to God, and God alone. His burden must be our burden... Sis Alvear
It seems to me that the separation from the world has more to do with our worldview, our lifestyle, and our attitudes than it does mere outward appearance issues.
(Btw, Miz, I meant to say the other night that I realize the Sanhedrin didn't physically write new Law. I meant that they created new law thru their interpretations, much like our Supreme Court does. So they added to it. Meant to write that the other night but forgot. My bad.)
Barons post is an exelent thought. it always must begin with the inner man. Not so sure it is just love and joy that are the keys.
PoMo's comments here also are right on...to a point.
I just wonder how one can have a powerful and meaningfull inner change that doest eventually manifest itself visibly? (and please remove any thoughts of traditional OP outward standards)...
The change that Christ brings is complete.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
My soul followeth hard after thee....Love one another with a pure heart fervently. 
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