Last week a member of the trans community unleashed a wave of devastation upon Christians in Nashville that ended the lives of six of our brothers and sisters in Christ including three young children. I noted in my last post on this subject how we must learn to hate evil again as it continues to creep up in the world around us being endorsed and praised by the mainstream press, academics, culture, and major multi-national corporations.
Since the shooting took place we have seen a massive wave of endorsement and support of the trans community. We’ve seen a male transgender golfer who identifies as a female win the Australian women’s tour. We’ve seen a a biological male, Dylan Mulvaney a “trans spokesperson,” become affiliated and enter into paid partnerships with major corporate brands like Nike and Bud Light.
Not to be left out, Jack Daniels released a trans ad this week as well. We’ve also seen the White House make a proclamation on the “Day of Trans Visibility.” Finally amidst all of this madness we’ve seen law enforcement discover a manifesto from another would-be trans killer who allegedly planned to carry out multiple school shootings.
The news that hit the hardest this week was the tragic story of Chris Tyson, the sidekick of the most popular Youtuber on the planet MrBeast who has billions of views and is largely influential among the youth. This week he announced that he is taking hormone replacement therapy, goes by any pronouns, and to make matters worse he is doing all of this in the public eye while being married and having a young son. Lord have mercy. If your children are watching this popular Youtube channel you should put a stop to it immediately.
As a Christian, it is crucial to stand up for the truth of God’s word as our world spirals into madness. The Bible is not just any book, but it is the inspired word of God, and it contains the truth that we need to live our lives. As followers of Christ we have a responsibility to uphold the truth and to proclaim it to the world. It’s important for us first to understand the role of gender as presented in the Bible. The Bible is very clear in its teachings that men and women are created differently and have different roles to play in society and in the family.
Made In The Image of God
At its core, the Bible presents a vision of humanity as being created in the image of God. This means that both men and women are equally valuable and deserving of respect and dignity. However, the Bible also presents a clear distinction between male and female, and suggests that there are certain roles and responsibilities that are associated with each gender.
In Genesis 1:27, God’s Word states, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” This passage affirms that God created male and female, and that our gender is an essential part of our identity.
Deuteronomy 22:5 states, “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.” This passage is a very clear condemnation of cross-dressing or gender non-conforming behavior. As Christians we are called to extend grace, love, and compassion to all people, including transgender individuals. We should seek to understand their experiences and struggles, and to support them in their journey towards wholeness and healing by pointing them to Jesus Christ and the Truth of God’s Word, not by endorsing and enabling their sinful behavior.
Christians believe that all people are sinners and in need of redemption. None of us is perfect, and we all struggle with various sins and shortcomings in our lives. However, we also believe that through Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven, healed, and transformed into new creations.
Jesus can help trans individuals find their true identity and purpose. In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Trans individuals often struggle with their identity and feel disconnected from their true selves. However, through a relationship with Jesus, they can find their true identity as children of God and live a fulfilling life.
As Christians, we believe in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Bible is full of examples of people who were transformed by the Holy Spirit, from Saul of Tarsus (who became the Apostle Paul) to the disciples who were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. This same transforming power is available to all of us, including those who identify as transgender.
In John 8:11, Jesus says to a woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” This passage demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and forgiveness towards sinners, but also his call to repentance and transformation. As Christians, we know that we all struggle with sin. Whether it’s pride, envy, anger, or addiction, we all have areas of our lives where we fall short of God’s perfect standard. But the good news is that we have a Savior who can help us overcome these struggles and find healing and wholeness through a relationship with God.
One of the first steps in helping people who are struggling with sin is to acknowledge the reality of their struggles. We should not judge or condemn them, but rather show them compassion and understanding. We can help them by listening to their stories, praying for them, and providing practical support and guidance. They are actively seeking to be guided and we must guide them to Jesus.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can experience the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” These qualities are evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, and they can help us overcome sin and find healing and wholeness. At the heart of healing from sin is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus offers us abundant life through a relationship with Him, where we can find forgiveness, grace, and transformation.
Another important aspect of helping people who are struggling with sin is accountability. We should encourage them to surround themselves with other believers who can offer support, accountability, and prayer. We can also help them find a local church where they can connect with others and grow in their faith. As Christians, we believe that all human beings are born into sin, due to the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. We are born with a sinful nature, and our natural inclination is towards rebellion against God’s perfect will.
Born This Way: Our Sinful Nature
Many in the LGBT community often lean on the claim that they were “born this way” and that there is nothing they can do to change who they are. The truth of the matter is we are all “born this way” in the sense that we are born into a sinful nature. The good news is that we can be born again through faith in Jesus Christ. In John 3:3, Jesus tells Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
To be born again means to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, to receive a new nature, and to have a new relationship with God. This transformation is not just a one-time event, but an ongoing process that takes place throughout our lives. The Holy Spirit is the agent of this transformation. In Titus 3:5-6, it says, “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
Through the Holy Spirit, we are renewed and transformed in our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This transformation is not something that we can achieve on our own. It is a work of God’s grace, and it requires our surrender and cooperation.
As we submit to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work in us, we will experience gradual growth and transformation. Ultimately, the goal of this transformation is to conform us to the image of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, it says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
Let us embrace the reality of being born into sin, but also the reality of being born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Let us submit to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and let us strive to become more like Christ each day. We must be willing and able to share this good news with all people in all nations, including those in the trans community.
A Message of Hope And True Transformation
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are all qualities that we can develop as we are transformed by the Holy Spirit. For those who identify as transgender, the Holy Spirit can bring transformation and healing to their lives. The Spirit can help them find peace and acceptance with their identity, as well as strength to overcome any challenges they may face. The Spirit can also help them develop the fruit of the Spirit in their lives, enabling them to live in a way that honors God and brings joy to themselves and others. This is a message of hope for those who so desperately need it.
In recent years, there has been a growing cultural shift towards recognizing and accepting transgender individuals. Many people in the secular world see the transition process as a way for trans people to become their true selves and live fulfilling lives. However, as Christians, we understand that true transformation comes not through physical changes, but through spiritual transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit.
The secular world’s version of transformation for trans people focuses on physical changes, such as hormone therapy, surgeries, and other medical interventions. The idea is that by changing the body to align with the individual’s gender identity, they can finally feel like their true selves and live a more authentic life. These physical changes do not address the root of the issue and leave many trans individuals filled with regret.
The Bible’s version of transformation focuses on the renewing of the mind and heart through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This verse emphasizes the importance of a transformed mind and heart, which can only come through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit has the power to transform us from the inside out, giving us a new perspective on life and helping us to live in a way that honors God. This kind of transformation is not limited to any particular aspect of our identity, but rather encompasses our entire being. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” This verse speaks to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, which makes us new creations in Christ.
As Christians, we should seek to share this message of transformation and hope with those who identify as transgender. While we may not agree with the secular world’s version of transformation, we can still show love and compassion to those who are struggling with their gender identity. We can also offer them the hope and transformation that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ, pointing them towards a life of true fulfillment and purpose. We should seek to share this message of hope and transformation with those who identify as transgender, showing them the love and compassion of Christ and offering them a new way of living through Him.
We Must Stand For Truth
It can be challenging to navigate the conflicting messages and values of the world around us as Christians. We are bombarded with messages that tell us to compromise our beliefs and values for the sake of being politically correct or to fit in with the crowd. However, the importance of standing up for the truth of God’s word and not giving in to worldly demands on important issues cannot be overstated.
The Bible makes it clear that God’s word is the ultimate truth. In John 17:17, Jesus prayed to the Father, saying, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” The Bible is not just a collection of stories and teachings, but it is the living, breathing word of God that has the power to transform lives and shape our worldview.
When we compromise on the truth of God’s word, we risk losing our identity as Christians and diluting the message of the Gospel. We become like the salt that has lost its flavor and is no longer effective in preserving and seasoning the world around us (Matthew 5:13).
We are called to be ambassadors of Christ in the world (2 Corinthians 5:20). This means that we have a responsibility to share the truth of God’s word with those around us, even if it is unpopular or goes against the prevailing cultural norms. We are not called to be people-pleasers but to be faithful servants of God.
Let us share the Gospel message of hope, love, and true transformation in stark contrast to the message of physical transitioning and unfettered tolerance of the world–a path that leads to death and destruction. (For more from the author of “The Gospel Message of Transformation vs the Godless Message of Tolerance and Transitioning” please click HERE)
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