Random Ramblings

     The LBGQIA+ community is active and loud. They and their willing accomplices in education, government, and the media have launched a direct assault on traditional values and are attempting to mislead the public concerning the real science of sex. Because English is not as precise as other languages, the attack starts with language. Greek, for example, has five different words for the English term for love. In English, we glibly state that we love ice cream, and we love our family. Obviously, the meaning of the word in these two contexts is very different. One’s love for ice cream, no matter how good the sweet cold cream tastes, does not measure up to the compassion we hold for a person related to us. Those confused about their sexual identity attempt to confuse us by redefining the meaning of gender and sex. They reject traditional values and definitions, requiring others to accept their “new truth.” There is only one truth. It is objective and observable and can be proven by science. Gender confusion is a direct assault on absolute truth. Moral relativism has long sought to compromise the truth by asserting that there is no real objective reality. They say reality is determined by how one feels; it is subjective and fluid. Tried and true definitions are outdated and no longer explain life as they see it. This refusal to accept objective facts makes dealing with the confused very difficult. The confusion arises from rejection of one’s personhood, and ultimately represents denial of God and His plan for men and women. The Christian response to the gender confused begins with the Bible, God’s Word, and the source of eternal truth.

      In Genesis 1:26-28, & 31, we learn the divine plan for creation.

26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 31 … And God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

      The Christian response to the confused begins with the explanation of the creation of man. Man, and later the woman, was created in the IMAGE and LIKENESS of God, and given DOMINION over God’s newly minted created world. The crowning point of creation was the production of man as male and female. These two individuals are different organisms, with distinct objectives with divine origin. Image describes REFLECTION. Likeness Defines REPRESENTATION, and Dominions denotes RULE.

Reflection

      Being created in the Image of God means the man was made to REFLECT His maker. Like a mirror, man is a manifestation of the divine. Man LOOKS like the God. He THINKS like his creator. Man was created to resemble God. Like a child resembles his parents because he is the fruit of their union. Man was made to be inhabited by the Spirit of God. Man is God’s means to live this in the perfect physical world He made for Himself. Man is a reflection of heaven on earth.

Likeness

      Being created in the Likeness of God means man was made to REPRESENT God on earth. Man is the offspring of God, His delegated representative in creation. Man is the family of God doing the family business as heirs of heaven to bring heaven to earth (Matthew 6:10). All that God is, is present in man. All that God has is possessed by man. The will of God is the purpose of man to fulfill on earth and for eternity. The very person of God inhabits man through the Spirit of God. Man is created in the Likeness of God to represent the divine on earth.

Dominion

      The third characteristic of the creation of man is the granting of dominion. Dominion denotes RULE. Man is God’s delegated authority to lead and manage creation. Man possessed the Power of God. Man knew the Plans of God. God shared His will as He shared Himself with man. Man ruled in God’s place on earth. Adam was given the responsibility to name the animals (Genesis 2:18-20). The right to name normally describes ownership. In this case, it is more accurate to call it STEWARDSHIP. Man did not own creation; he was part of it. But God gave him dominion, the responsibility to rule in His place. The problem arose when man disobeyed God. He through the perfect world God had created into chaos. Sin destroyed the paradise God had made and it began the estrangement between man and God. God did not move, but man forfeited his place in God’s order. Thank God, Jesus restored the perfection of creation to when God pronounced it good and very good! As was God’s original intention, man was called and destined to rule on earth under God.

Identity

      This is the identity of man. This is who all men and women are made to be. As reflections of the divine, men and women are two different beings by God’s plan. They serve two distinct roles in the world. It is not about rank but order. As man is under God, men and women submit to one another to fulfill the will of God. Man and woman are two divinely created individuals according to the purpose of God. This is factual and cannot be changed. This is who every man and woman born on earth are. Divinely created male and female is the identity of man and woman.                        

     Identity is important because it defines who one is. It is an expression of the person. It explains the purpose of the individual and the corporate responsibility. Identity also equips one to depend on the source for life who is God. Identity directs a person to their provision for living with God and one another. Man is God’s plan for the world and God is man’s eternal source of life and strength and knowledge.

      The danger appears because renouncing God’s plan prevents God’s will from being done in one’s life. Rejecting God’s provision leaves man hopeless and lacking. Refuting one’s personhood produces despair and alienation. As Adam and Eve demonstrated after they sinned, it is the natural reaction to hide when sin produces guilt and shame in a person’s life.

Guilt & Shame

      Guilt and shame are two sides of the same coin. One goes with the other. They are always the direct result of disobedience. Paul tells us that the character of God is revealed in creation so that everyone is without excuse when it comes to knowing God (Romans 1). His presence is evident in creation. If not dealt with properly, in the God ordained way—the only way to adequately remove guilt and shame—they will destroy a person. There is only one way to effectively deal with guilt and that is FORGIVENESS. Only God can forgive, and He has made a way for everyone to be forgiven through the sacrifice of His Son. The only way to adequately deal with shame is ACCEPTANCE. One cannot forgive himself. A person needs to accept who God made them to be, ultimate acceptance only comes from God based on the resurrected life of Jesus His Son. Man needs external affirmation but also an internal transformation. This is why God sent His Son to save creation from its sin. Jesus came to restore what Adam lost. Christ was sent to recreated man and woman in the image and likeness of God.

 Rejection

      Rejection is the root of gender confusion. A confused person feels rejected because this is what guilt and shame produces. They reject God and ultimately reject themselves as God created them. Man was created for FELLOWSHIP. Adam experienced a transcendent relationship with God, the heavenly communing with the earthly (Genesis 3). Part of the confusion is the misuse of language. Gender is a grammatical term that describes verbs and nouns in the study of languages. The ending of the word in many languages denotes the masculine or feminine and aids in the clarity of writing and speech. Sex is determined by chromosomes. It is undeniable on the molecular level. They are only two variations: male and female. Any other attempt to describe other genders is delusion and false. To overcome rejection that leads to such confusion of one’s identity, requires the application of truth. Truth is scientific fact. It is what God says, Truth is the Word of God. Subjectivity and relativism are falsehoods and create only disappointing counterfeits.

The Source of It Confusion

      This is an issue because the source of the denial of truth and the confusion that follows it is demonic. Satan is the Father of lies (John 8:42-47). Satan deceives. He deceived the woman in the Garden. Satan’s chief lies focus on questioning the veracity of God. If the devil can get one to doubt God, he can lead them away from God. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). At stake in the deception of Eve was the glory of God’s perfect creation. She was deceived and the man followed her. Satan challenged her with a partial truth which was lie. He questioned if they would surely die as God had stated. They did not die physically but they did die spiritually. They lost their live in God’s perfect creation and their sin destroyed creation as it allowed death to enter it. The goal and purpose of Satan is to destroy man’s relationship with God. It is vital that the true root of the issues is seen and understood. To neglect the demonic aspect of the confusion about one’s sexual orientation is to be inadequately equipped to correct it. 

BUT God …

      The disobedience of man and the fall of creation did not catch God by surprise. He already had formulated a plan to restore man and His creation. Revelation 13:8 reveals that the “Lamb of God was slain before the foundation of the world.” The sacrifice of His Son Jesus had already taken place before a thing was created on earth. The plan and method to restore a fallen man and world was already in the works before a word was spoke in time. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but live forever with God (John 3:16). Satan is attempting to lead many astray and away from their divine right to relationship with God through His Son by His Spirit. The devil wants man to reject God and rejecting oneself is part of his plan to destroy God’s creation. Satan may be the source, but Jesus Christ is the Solution.

A New Creation

      Paul in his watershed passage on the subject explains:

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

      Paul reveals that Reconciliation is the Answer. The goal of God for man after the fall is to be in Christ. Jesus has made man a new creation–a whole new species of being. No longer is a person the child of his father Adam. Now, in Christ, a person is the child of God as originally created before sin. All the old things that were destroyed when Adam sinned have been done away with. Everything has been made new in Him. This new creation is totally the working of God, from God, by God.

Reconciliation

      In Christ, man is RECONCILED to God. Sins are forgiven and the guilt that accompanies disobedience is eradicated. Shame is removed by the sacrifice of Jesus. Man is once again the delegated authority of heaven on earth in Chris. Believers in Jesus are Ambassadors of Christ on earth. The reflect His image of love and represent Him in the flesh to others who may be confused by sin. God has given His followers the Ministry of Reconciliation and the Word of reconciliation. That word is Jesus and is embodied in the Gospel. Reconciliation is the mission of man on earth.

Righteousness

      Righteousness is being right with God. Only Jesus can make a person righteous. Guilt and shame prevent one from coming to God. The tendency is hide and attempt to cover sin. Romans 1 tells us that the confused exchange the truth for a lie. They try to recreate themselves in their own image, believing God has failed them. GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES! No one has been made wrong, imperfect, maybe, but not without divine purpose. Every person has been made in the image and likeness of God. Every believer has been restored to the perfection of God’s new creation that rivals the original order of Genesis chapter 1. Perfect in scripture does not mean without error. Although a new creation, man can still sin. Perfect means complete. God in Christ has done everything that needs to be done to restore man to his original state on the sixth day of creation. Man cannot manufacture his own righteousness. He cannot restore himself to God’s glory. Only God through Christ by the Holy Spirit can do such a work in a person. Paul declares that He who had no relationship with sin—it was a foreign experience to Him—was made sin for us. He did not commit sin but the transgressions of every man and woman was placed on Him. Sin produces only condemnation and death. Deep down, every person who has ever lived fears the judgment the sin brings. But there is no condemnation in Christ. He was made sin for us so we could be made the very righteousness of God in Him. In Him, man is a new creation. Man is as righteous as Christ is in Him

Preparing to Respond

·      Be Reconciled to God

      As Christian, who is in Christ, is made brand new, forgiven of his sin, and shame is removed from his life. To respond to the confused, Christians must first be made right (recreated) in Christ by His Holy Spirit. It is on the basis of a man being reconciled to God through Jesus that a person can be an instrument of reconciliation for others.

·      Become His Ambassador

      The mission of the church is reconciliation. Reconciliation is the ministry given to every believer by God. The Christian possesses the Word of reconciliation. That word is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and explains how He died and rose again to save the world. As representatives of the Father and the Son by the Holy Spirit, believers are the means of God reconciling others to Christ. Christians must be who they are—ambassadors of Him, ready and willing to help others trapped in confusion.

·      Behave Like Who Him

      The call is to walk in righteousness. Christians must believe in Christ and that He did what the Bible says He did. Christians must receive forgiveness for their sins from Jesus so they can give what God has given them. The key is allowing God to transform one’s life to be restored to who God created His children to be and then walking out in every day life.      

Love is the Key

Ephesians 4:14-16 states:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

      The Christian response to those confused is to grow up! The responsibility falls to the more mature, those who know Christ. Having been forgiving and accepted by the Father enables the believer to be the means of reconciliation to others. Christians know the truth and must be sources of reality for others who are confused. 

      In addition, and may be harder, Christians must speak the truth in love! Sharing in a way that honors the confused person is vital. One can disagree and still be respectful. Love always honors the other person and love is evident when expressed. It is not love to stand by while another person is in harm’s way and do nothing. Love acts, based on the Word of God (truth) in the best interest of the object of its attention. The goal is unity. The Christian response sees the confused person as potential family. The body is not complete without every member functioning as created. Together, the body is reconciled to others in Christ. The end is the oneness that only Jesus, the Head, can bring.

      Many do not want to deal with the issue. They may not know anyone confused or want to deal with anyone who is confused. Many want to stay as far away as they can from people struggling with their identity. 

But believers cannot abandon their calling. Christians cannot reject the ministry of reconciliation. Members of the Body of Christ possess the word of reconciliation on are ambassadors of Christ on earth.

      There is no need or use to be afraid. Believers, above all, have great confidence based on their relationship with Jesus Christ (Ephesians 3:12 & 1 John 5:14). If one can do nothing else, one can pray! When confronted, one can care, allowing love to lead them. The call is not to do it oneself, but to let God work through the follower of Christ. Believers, obedient to the Father, let God use them. It is a matter of being who God called the Christian to be—His ambassador.

A Warning

      Tolerance is not love! One can accept the person without affirming wrong behavior. Compromising one’s integrity is what the enemy desires because is disqualifies the person and their message. It does not help to condone sin. You cannot win another person to Christ by appeasing them and glossing over their sin. The Bible is clear. The behavior that confusion leads to us not natural nor of God. In fact, it is condemned and will be punished. Love does not ignore sin or overlook disobedience. But God’s grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). His forgiveness is available through Jesus Christ. God’s acceptance is ready and right to all who will come to Him. God’s kindness leads to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The love and attention of a new creation in Christ can lead another to saving repentance for sins. Repentance leads to salvation and deliverance.

Sealing the Response

      Chances are many will be confronted with someone confused. The believer can prepare himself by reaffirming his own relationship with God. Someone struggling with gender confusion needs to encounter a new creation in Christ. Reception of one’s ministry of reconciliation is indispensable. Rehearsing one’s position in Christ equips him to be used by God. Knowing the word of reconciliation and how to share it with others is crucial to demonstrating the ministry of reconciliation. Practicing the Gospel prepares one for Spirit-led encounters with those confused. Representing Christ as His ambassador is the calling. He is the great transformer who reconciles all men to Himself. The bottom-line is that God loves those who are struggling with identity. God has not rejected them even though they may have abandoned Him. Their denial does not negate His love for them. The Christian response to those who are struggling with gender confusion is to be an instrument of God’s love and grace to bring them back to Jesus.

Promises to Claim as One Responds

15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the boundless greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet and made Him head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. And you were dead in your offenses and sins, 2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 1:15-2:10) 

      Paul’s prayer is for every believer to receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of our Savior. The Spirit will lead and tell us what to do. Paul’s prayer continues with asking God to enlighten the eyes of the Christian’s understanding so that he may know:

·      The Hope of His Calling

·      The Riches of His Inheritance in the Saints

·      And the boundless Greatness of His Power directed toward those who believe in Him

      Seated in the heavenlies with Christ, everything is under the believer’s feet. Satan cannot defeat us on God’s mission. Every Christian was once dead in their sins, a child of Adam. But God, who is rich in mercy, recreated us and made us alive in Jesus. Christians have been saved by God’s grace so they can lead others to experience the same. Salvation is the gift from God, no one deserves it or can earn it. No one can boast that they saved themselves. Paul reveals that every believer in Jesus is the unique workmanship of God. He created His children for good works and enables them to perform them.

Closing the Response

      Denying one’s own personhood is denying God. Being confused about one’s identity is not the end of the world. It is very sad and destroying many people’s lives. People struggling with the issue need help! The Body of Christ is the help they need. No other group us equipped to help them like the followers of Jesus. If God has brought a confused person into one’s sphere of influence, Love them. Show them that God cares. Let God work through you. Much prayer will be required because the confrontation is directly with demonic forces. One cannot enter a strong man’s house and spoil his goods without first binding the strong man (Mark 3:27). The believer in Christ possesses the Word of Reconciliation. He has been given the ministry of reconciliation. He is the ambassador of Jesus Christ to a fallen world. The Christian can best respond to those confused because the believer is empowered by God to represent Him in love.

      God will show you have to respond when confronted with a confused person. Let God us you and see the amazing ease with God can transform a life.