Sometimes a cultural catch phrase
can be more accurate and more profound than was intended by the originator of
the phrase. Certain lifestyles have been excused, tolerated and ultimately
embraced under the pseudo scientific/philosophical declaration, ‘I was born
this way.’ This is meant to disarm the critic and excuse the behavior of the
one who seeks to defend his or her lifestyle.
To the shallow and uninformed, this
phrase is sufficient to satisfy the conscience and pave the way for being
‘tolerant’ of whatever behavior is being discussed. Of course, even society
will draw the line at certain types of behavior and not excuse the ‘born this
way’ defense. That line keeps moving and as we speed toward the end of this
age, it will probably disappear completely.
Right now the popular cause to
support is the fight against sex trafficking. If the traffickers were to
declare that they were ‘born this way,’ and thus their behavior is excusable,
most would laugh. If the polygamist were to declare that he was ‘born’ to have
multiple wives, some would laugh, but that line is moving. Within ten years
polygamy will probably be legal. The definition of marriage has been changed
for some and so it will eventually be changed for all.
Pedophiles could also declare they
were born to desire sex with children. They can’t help it. It is like being
born right handed or left handed. Society is encouraged to understand and be
tolerant. The list could go on and on. Everyone wants to feel good about their
behavior. Guilt is not politically correct. Even our modern grace movement is
on a crusade against guilt which many are misinterpreting in order to indulge
the flesh.
What is the truth behind the ‘born
this way’ philosophy? It actually couldn’t be more accurate. All humanity is
born spiritually separated from the life and nature of God. Apart from God, man
has no true knowledge of himself, his Creator or his purpose on this earth.
Apart from God, man has no true identity. We come into this world with no idea
who we are, so we seek to create an identity or one is created for us through
the molding of society, relationships, innate fears, the media and our life
experiences.
The truth is, we were all ‘born
this way.’ We all come into this world craving our true identity and not
knowing that identity can only be found in Jesus. In order to navigate through
life in a fallen world, we adopt an identity which satisfies on a carnal level
our need for acceptance and purpose. Here is how Paul describes it:
This I say, therefore, and testify
in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk,
in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being
alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them,
because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given
themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Eph.
4:17-19)
The ‘rest of the Gentiles’ can
really refer to all of humanity. The problem begins with the blindness of the
heart which produces futility in the mind. The result is to give ourselves to
lewdness and unclean living. And then, because of guilt and a deep
dissatisfaction with life, we declare, ‘I was born this way.’ Yes, we were!
That is why Jesus said, ‘you must
be BORN AGAIN!’ (John 3:7)
Whatever lifestyle, behavior and
purpose some have embraced is simply a manifestation of being separated from
the life and knowledge of God. It is a fake identity. It can never satisfy
them. Those who so aggressively demand that you accept them just the way they
are, are really demonstrating that their own conscience gives them no peace.
The only solution is to force others to accept them and even embrace them.
Perhaps then they can find peace. But society’s embrace will never produce
peace.
Rather than adjusting to a life of
darkness, blindness and corruption, Jesus came that we might have true life. We
can be born into a new reality with a new identity and a true purpose. His
nature can transform our hearts, renew our minds and free us from the identity theft
that we have accepted. The lost are crying to know this life. The counterfeit
they have accepted makes them aggressive, belligerent and even hateful, but
God’s love is greater than man’s darkness. They were born that way, but they
can be born again.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have
become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)
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