Where from here? The narrow way considered.

Reformed evangelicals who elect to remain within the PC(USA) at this point now must count the cost and consider their future course. One thing is clear--they will not 'win'.

But what I want to ask is, does it matter?

Many of the readers here and all over the PC(USA) who hold to the Reformed faith in its evangelical clarity are apparently asking the same thing. It's a good question, one worthy of followers of Jesus Christ.

So, where to? What next?

I think that in the last few posts I have established my belief that one's denominational label makes not one whit of difference when considering one's faithfulness to the One who calls. Disciples of Jesus Christ are still within the world as it is and until He comes again we always will be. The remnant will find themselves continuing on to the narrow gate and difficult way that Christ spoke of in his greatest sermon:

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” --Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

Sobering words.

The pathway that leads to life, from the narrow gate must lead through many human institutions. Now, don't get me wrong here: A denomination's faithfulness does matter. It matters a great deal, even more so when that institution claims to be a servant institution of the Church.

But the reality is that we will find faithful Christians in a variety of places. Yet all are on the narrow way to life by grace through faith. Judging another's path is a perilous business:

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," --Philippians 2:12 ESV

It's hard enough to keep to one's own path without looking at the steps of others and judging them. Evaluate? Yes. Learn from others? Certainly. Evaluate and take into account missteps and falterings along the way? Of course. But don't let that be so obsessive that one's own path becomes a stumbling block to yourself or others.

So then, where to? Back to the question.

If you are called to reside in an institution that one knows to be without hope of restoration to the apostolic faith once delivered then what are your choices? Certainly they are limited but I don't know that they are without fruitfulness for the Kingdom. And there will be pockets of faithfulness within the PC(USA) for some years to come.

Will Reformed evangelicals suffer for taking this path, if they choose it? Yes. Some of them will be kicked out from churches when they find themselves in hostile presbyteries and others will be locked out of the ministry for their convictions. They won't be invited to the best committees or the coolest parties. But what does that matter? Each and every persecution is another fulfillment of the promises of Christ. Call them sign-points along the way to life.

Will other Reformed brothers and sisters balk at the choice? Again, yes. Those who remain risk the double threat of suspicion from their peers and scorn from their denominational community. Truly this is a path fraught with difficulty. But in the end, there is the promise of the destination, the reward that is received from the Lord who calls, who perseveres with those whom He chooses.

And the last time I checked, the Bible says nothing about what humanly invented denominational label we wear when we appear before the Throne. If there really is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism", then we had better take that seriously.

No matter where God calls us to tread.