Tell us, then, what you are supposing. Is it allowed to give poll tax to Caeser, or not? Now Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said, "Why are you trying Me, hypocrites? Exhibit to Me the poll tax currency." Now they bring to Him a denarius. And He is saying to them, "Whose is this image and the inscription?" They are saying, Caesar's." Then He is saying to them, "Be paying, then, Caesar's to Caesar, and God's to God."
Matthew 22: 17- 21, Concordant New Testament
I've seen it all too often. A certain issue in society will pop up in the news and all of a sudden more than a few churches come out with a stance for or against it. Most recently it has been with the trans gender rights craze that is so prevalent in our country. While most organized brick and mortar churches have come out against the proliferation of trans gender rights, others move to accept the changes accepting the trans gender person. At Saint David of Wales Episcopal church here in Portland, changes have been made. From labeling the restrooms as non binary to referring to the congregation as "siblings in Christ." Not wishing to shut out those of the trans gender of non binary crowd, they allow changes deemed to make the church environment more, as they say, welcoming. Maybe it's just be, but in my opinion, all are welcome in our houses of worship. At least that was the original intent. However, as I've so often said, whenever mankind is involved in religion, things can go haywire pretty quickly. And what is religion but a man created concept? I have seen no evidence of the trappings and traditions we see these days in the early church of the followers of Jesus. Instead, we see a community of like minded believers coming together as one {Acts 2:44-47}. I would venture to say that were a trans gender or similar non binary person enter into fellowship with these believers, that there would be no need to make special provisions. All were welcome. The focus was not upon religion of politics, but on the life and teachings of Christ Jesus. And something amazing happened as a result. Instead of the mass church exodus we have seen recently, the Lord "Added to those being saved day by day" {Acts 2:47}. Obviously, many new believers felt welcomed in the presence of this new church.
Now all those who believe were also in the same place and had all things in common. And they disposed of the acquisitions and the properties, and divided them for all, forasmuch as some would have had need. Besides persevering day by day with one accord in the sanctuary, besides breaking bread home by home, they partook of nourishment with exultation and simplicity of heart. Praising God and having favor for all the people. Now the Lord added to those being saved day by day in the same place.
Acts 2: 44-47, Concordant New Testament
Of course, the issue of trans gender and binary rights is not the first hot button issue which the mainstream church has taken a stand on. I recall that while attending the last church I was involved with that the church leadership took a adamant stand on the position of traditional marriage between one man and one woman. This, predictably, did not sit well with everyone in the community. Yet the message to the congregation was that we were doing "God's work" by defending His principles. Really? Who honestly believes that God needs our assistance with His day to day operations? I would venture to suggest that the Lord works THROUGH us instead. The apostle Paul speaks to this in his writings on the indwelling Christ {Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:8}. It is Christ Jesus who lives in us today. Knowing this, we can know that God Himself will work through His children. How else will the world know the Father but through the works of the Lord exhibited through us? How is excluding others from worship showing the love of God? It is no surprise, then, that all too many brick and mortar churches refuse to speak to the indwelling Christ in us. How many political issues taken up by the mainstream church in recent history were nothing but opportunities for the Lords children to show His work through them? When we see began the world through this truth, the Lord will add to those being saved.
Perceive the manner of love the Father has given us, that we may be called children of God! And we are! Therefore the world does not know us, for it did not know Him.
1 John 3: 1, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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