General Assembly 46 - Thursday
General Assembly 46 - Thursday
Overview
Our last day at General Assembly was a long, long day. Thankfully it was also held in a very, very beautiful place. Because of the sheer number of attendees, we moved the conference from Cherry Creek EPC to Cherry Hills* EPC just across town in Denver (yes it is confusing). Cherry Hills sits directly across from the mountains and, through massive windows, the mountains are constantly visible from almost anywhere in their church.
To keep a long story short, we discussed and voted on some very precise issues related to Same Sex Attraction. What was encouraging: everyone was committed to the historic Christian and Biblical understanding of marriage.
So, a major part of the debate concerned the doctrine of sanctification: that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians experience increasing levels of maturity, holiness, and victory over temptation over the course of their life. Everyone agreed on this. The question is whether or not a Christian should expect to achieve total victory over any area of temptation in this life. The Reformed position is no, a Christian typically will not. In rare cases yes, but this is a miracle that should not typically be expected.
Westminster Confession of Faith 13.2 says, "This sanctification is throughout in the whole person, yet imperfect in this life: there abides still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh."
For example, in Scripture Paul says, "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me" - Romans 7:21-25.
Theological debate is very important; we want to "seek the mind of Christ." We want to think the thoughts of God after him, to align our heart, minds, and hands with what is true about the Lord and his will for our lives.
Sometimes debates like this can become ugly. When pride and suspicion arises, people begin to insult and belittle one another. This is not a right and reverent way to talk about God and his Word. Thankfully, I was again so encouraged that the majority of our debate was polite, loving, and focused.
Fun Stuff
Our last day at General Assembly was a long, long day. Thankfully it was also held in a very, very beautiful place. Because of the sheer number of attendees, we moved the conference from Cherry Creek EPC to Cherry Hills* EPC just across town in Denver (yes it is confusing). Cherry Hills sits directly across from the mountains and, through massive windows, the mountains are constantly visible from almost anywhere in their church.
To keep a long story short, we discussed and voted on some very precise issues related to Same Sex Attraction. What was encouraging: everyone was committed to the historic Christian and Biblical understanding of marriage.
So, a major part of the debate concerned the doctrine of sanctification: that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians experience increasing levels of maturity, holiness, and victory over temptation over the course of their life. Everyone agreed on this. The question is whether or not a Christian should expect to achieve total victory over any area of temptation in this life. The Reformed position is no, a Christian typically will not. In rare cases yes, but this is a miracle that should not typically be expected.
Westminster Confession of Faith 13.2 says, "This sanctification is throughout in the whole person, yet imperfect in this life: there abides still some remnants of corruption in every part, whence arises a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh."
For example, in Scripture Paul says, "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me" - Romans 7:21-25.
Theological debate is very important; we want to "seek the mind of Christ." We want to think the thoughts of God after him, to align our heart, minds, and hands with what is true about the Lord and his will for our lives.
Sometimes debates like this can become ugly. When pride and suspicion arises, people begin to insult and belittle one another. This is not a right and reverent way to talk about God and his Word. Thankfully, I was again so encouraged that the majority of our debate was polite, loving, and focused.
Fun Stuff
- The best part of the day was the worship service in the morning. At that service, we celebrated The Lord's Supper together. There, I saw elders coming together - setting aside the debate - and brining their hurts and hopes. People hugged and prayed for each other. People wept and comforted each other.
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