Comments on Music and Rings

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

On Wed, 7 Aug 1996 10:22:18 -0400 (EDT), you wrote:

>Unfortunately, in many UPC circles, people are more concerned about what is
>on the outside than the inside.  I can look like the perfect little
>Pentecostal girl on the outside, but my heart could be full of sin, and no
>one would even notice....cuz most of us have learned to play that little
>holiness game.

In fact, the UPCI teaching concerning holiness is very balanced and
biblical.  As a matter of fact, if one believes that the spiritual
awareness of the people around them is so underdeveloped that they
actually belive they are in the midst of a sea of deceived hypocrites,
then it is a very dire situation indeed.

Now, I have know people who have drifted into casual conformity, and
actually thinking that sin an be hidden, but these are not common in a
spiritual church. And then, it may seem odd, but that very impression
may be developmed by those who themselves have very bad attitudes, and
are wondering why they get away with it while "dressing the part". The
answer to that is "because God knows that you could not take
correction and the people who do realize your condition of heart is
not right, are not beating on you with condemnation, but are most
likely patiently praying for you".

>And, just from my personal experience, you go to any UPC conference, and it
>looks more like a fashion show, than a place to get together and worship the
>Lord.  And its not only the women who are doing it.  I know some men who are
>just as bad as women, if not more, on what they spend on their appearance.

May I say that I do not appreciate the use of freedom to make such
generalizations concerning good men and women of God?

This is a rather typical, and oft repeated comment. What *is*
appearant is that there may be personal excesses of dress (though that
would be a matter of opinon and custom by region), but there is
obviously considerable resentment which exposes itself in such verbal
attacks on the children of God.

My personal opinion ? I happen to believe that God's people in this
USA at this time of history should look GOOD and they shoul stand out
in a crowd with more than the sometimes imagined "spiritual glow". We
do NOT use facial makeup (paint) and juewlery to accomplish this as is
the manner of the harlot spirit in this world and in the world's
religions. However, lively and attractive modest dress is VERY
IMPORTANT (not to one's salvation, but to witness that God did NOT
make us beggars or puritains or amish wierdos).

When people are jealous and respentful of those who are winners,
spiritually and materially (yes, it is God's will for both to
coincide) and cast aspersions, then we hear about the UPC fashion
show. Usually, in my experience, this is Northerners, or MidWesterners
who have an inhereted retreating personality, speaking of Southern
ladies. And, yes ... men who wear certain watches :)

And, I have come to realize after many years of not caring what I
dressed like (as I was your quintessential "free thinker" and hippie,
until I came into the light of Pentecost), that dress IS important and
one SHOULD care what they look like. God does, by the way.

-mwb