Separation From The World

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by crakjak

This picture proves that there is always one that will cross the line. LOL

Ha, that's actually only about half way...

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Thank you Barb, for being more descriptive. There is nothing wrong in being separated in this way for the physical if that is what you feel it takes to be separated. Be if far from me to criticize you in your choice of clothes, hair, grooming and places to go...as long as you do not think your lifestyle is required for everybody else. I only hope that you respect those who do not feel this is what it is to lead a separated life from the world.

Amen. Her branch has pretty leaves; but anyone doing exactly like her
would not be separated...from Barb! : ) (would be a clone)

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Amen. Her branch has pretty leaves; but anyone doing exactly like her
would not be separated...from Barb! : ) (would be a clone)

Cloneliness is next to godliness, right?

[AreYouReady?]

There are no right or wrong answers here. I am not going to "rip" Brother Robbins or Lemon for their thoughts and ideas of what it means to be separate from the world. I often thought about the Amish myself. It looks like a hard life, but I have to respect their way of living. I once went to one of their small communities wanting to buy some heirloom seeds that I thought they saved from their crops from year to year. One of the men there told me that every year they go to the feed store and buy their seed. So...I was out of luck on that one. He was risking a scolding for talking to me because mainly the men do not talk to women outside their sect. I noticed that he barely looked at me when he did give me information.

Who knows what is truly right ? I think only God knows. The reason being is that God looks on our hearts while men and women look on the outer appearance. That is Biblical.

So many different people have so many different thoughts as to what they think is being separated or what it takes to be separate from the world.

I would say that even those of Catholic faith separated themselves from the world. Many nuns have gone into the convent and their only clothes was the long gown/robe...black in color from neck to ankle and the habit covering of their head and around the chin to cover their neck.

Likewise, the priests wore their robes over their slacks and had Monasteries, of which many became "Monks" and separated themselves. I have a cousin who disappeared into the Franciscan Monk Monastery. I met him once when I was a little child. I have no idea if he is still there, alive or dead.

Then we have the Mennonites, an offshoot of the Amish who live rather simply themselves. Except that they use electricity and modern appliances as well as computers. The women dress modestly, even with short sleeves, but those sleeves are tight around their arm. Simple and plain hairdos with the little black cap pinned on top of their heads. I would consider them to be good people. They love God too.

What about the Mormons? I don't spend much, if any time studying them. Maybe I should. They talk about God, give a wholesome appearance, but do they worship God the way God wants us to worship Him? I don't know. I've never delved much into their doctrine. When I was seeking God, two mormons came to my apartment to give me a "Bible" or rather a "Book of Mormon" study. When I saw their film of Joseph Smith, I decided it was too weird and slipped away from them as graciously as I could. They are separate from the world within their own community.

Jehovah Witnesses are in the same boat. They think that they have the truth and they have their own communities.

I cannot put any of these people down because it looks to me that they all feel they are doing right by their lifestyles in living for God. I have met people from every one of these religious communities and talked/interact with them. Perhaps with the exception of Mormons, only speaking with them on a very limited scale.

Yet, I would say that all these communities face the same temptations of sin that the rest of humanity does.

We hear about the priest scandals.

Not too many years ago, our local newspaper had a 3 part story about the Mennonites and their community and the struggles of adultery and other temptations within.

Why do we humans always think we live separate lives when we face the same temptations as all other flesh and blood? I would bet that many people likewise think that the grass is greener on the other side.

[Cindy]

It's a heart thing.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Dordrecht

Do you see this as a condition for salvation????

As I don't have a heaven or hell to put anyone in, why does my opinion matter?

[AreYouReady?]

So...I would like to delve a little deeper here on what does God mean when He wants us to be "separate" from the world?

I often think about John the Baptist. He was clothed in animal skin and ate honey and locusts. I suppose he did not shave. The bible did not say who "taught" him in the religious circles of that day. I am of the opinion that the Holy Ghost taught John and instructed him what to say and do to and for the people. He was given the Holy Ghost while still in the womb.

How else would he have known how to Baptize people? There were schools for religious learning, but I doubt John the Baptist entered their doorway.

Being separate I feel, is more of a spiritual, rather than a physical thing. A consecration to God rather than where we go, what we look like, what kind of clothes we wear etc.

I have a question for all pentecostal women here. If an Amish or Menonnite woman came into your church wearing the type of clothes that they wear, would they be accepted in your circles when the novelty of her attending a UPC church wears off? I mean they are as modest modest can be. The one Mennonite of the older order I met only wears navy dresses, hand made, sleeves down to her wrists and skirts down to her ankles, high button up neckline. That is very modest. But that is the only kind of dress she wears. No heels and hair always up in a severe bun on top of her head. I ask this knowing that Pentecostal ladies have a "fashion" all of their own. I've heard them talk about other women who did not dress "fashionable" or experiment with their hair into different configurations on top of their heads. Would the Amish or Mennonite be accepted or would they have to conform to church fashion?

Likewise you men, would you accept the Amish/Mennonite men wearing beards, jeans and suspenders into your congregation knowing that perhaps they would never buy a suit and tie and conform to the dress style of acceptable Pentecostal men? Would you let the Amish leaders up in your pulpit to share a word from God?

[RandyWayne]

Likewise you men, would you accept the Amish/Mennonite men wearing beards, jeans and suspenders into your congregation knowing that perhaps they would never buy a suit and tie and conform to the dress style of acceptable Pentecostal men? Would you let the Amish leaders up in your pulpit to share a word from God?

Not with a beard. Or jeans.

[AreYouReady?]

Brother Epley?

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Brother Epley?

Found him!