The Treasure We Offer
Unity in What?: Part 4
In this conflict of worldviews within the CRCNA, both sides view their position as the loving, Biblical position.
And yet the two are incompatible opposites.
We seem to keep going around and around. This denomination is full of members who are intelligent, inexhaustibly clever, and apparently willing to put in the time to answer every comment and bring up endless new hypotheticals to think through.
But the impasse will remain.
These are the positions of honesty and integrity, in my estimation:
For the “orthodox”: the process of church discipline must start taking place at Synod 2024. To withhold discipline is to deny Christ and His apostolic teaching.
For the “affirmers”: they should accept the conclusions of the church at large and either (1) repent and change their practices or (2) leave the denomination and start their own.
Will the orthodox have to face new challenges to their ideals in the near future, whether IVF or trans or hasn't-even-been-invented issue yet... it is inevitable.
(And the affirmers can laugh at us as we hold to a new line and split again in 40 years.)
But will the affirmers continue to "progress" into new uncharted territory, and soon find themselves as "the conservatives" against a New Progress that to them feels "too far"? I'm certain of it.
(At which point the orthodox can say "We told you so!")
Splitting is lamentable! Unity is preferable. But what is worse than splitting into 2 denominations that are each seeking to honor God, properly love each other, and worship in ways that don't hurt the consciences of their members?
This is worse: To deny Christ's teaching that homosexual sex is sinful and that marriage is created by God for one man and one woman united for life. And so too refusing to offer the gift of repentance and transformation from these sins to those who struggle with them.
Orthodox CRC churches help LGBT folk by offering them the treasure that is worth selling all that they own to obtain.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matthew 13:44)
We all have to give up (and repent from) actual pleasures in order to attain Christ. But we, like LGBT folk, will find that selling "all that we had" doesn't compare to the value we gain in the treasure of Christ!
The rich young ruler went away sad because he had great wealth... he didn't understand what these "riches" were holding him back from. They were holding him back from the infinitely greater riches that come from faith in Christ!
I would consider it a monumental sacrifice if God was calling me to a life without a spouse and children... The treasure that LGBT Christians are called to sell is immense! But it is all "loss for the sake of Christ".
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Phil 3:8)
We are called to love and walk alongside our LGBT friends. We must love our LGBT neighbor as ourselves.
But you can move show your love for me, Trevor, by pointing me away from my sins and toward Jesus Christ. You can love me by teaching me who God is through His Word and what He calls me to repent from.
We are not called to came Christianity “comfortable” for the sinner to continue in their sin.
For the liar, the church that preaches God's Law on the 9th Commandment causes him to revolt at the confrontation of his sin.
For the covetous, the church that preaches God’s Law on the 10th Commandment causes the same.
And this is true for all the commandments...
We are not called to only preach from God's Word that which unbelievers find attractive.
We are called to preach the full council of God!
A stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.
Sinners' instinct is to bolt at their sins being brought into God's light.
Would we allow the atheists who come to our church because they long for companionship and belonging to become officebearers in CRC churches? No.
Can atheists attend worship services, Bible studies, potlucks, and make friends?
Yes, please!
LGBT folk can attend service and events at any orthodox church in our denomination!
But will they hear the Christ's teaching on sexuality? At some point, I’m sure.
But that’s good!
People don't want a religion that changes in order to include them.
They want a true religion that holds to a transcendent standard that is
worth them changing for!
We cannot compromise on God’s Word. Nor should we want to!
For then where else would we go? Christ has the words of eternal life.