Not "born this way"

I am reading a fascinating book called Mercy Triumphs over Judgment, by Joanne Highley. Joanne brings so much experience, wisdom, and knowledge to the Christian response to homosexuality. In response to those who suggest that homosexuality is something that we are born with, she comes back with what I feel is the perfect response.

“The truth is God would never create people as homosexuals and then say they will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”[i]

 Let us unpack that a little more. Joanne is referring to Paul’s words to the church at Corinth. The New King James version puts it like this:

 “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6-9-11

 So, there we have it, a clear warning that those who continue in a sinful life, without repentance, will not inherit the Kingdom of God, they will not gain salvation. But great news follows, as Paul says those famous words, “and such were some of you.”  This clearly indicates that there were people in the early church who once identified as homosexuals, but who are no longer in that lifestyle. Transformation is possible and desirable for any who want to follow Jesus.

God created us with a specific purpose for our sexuality. We simply have to go back to Genesis to see that God created male and female for the purpose of complementing each other in order to exercise their dominion over the earth; and gifted them the ability to procreate.

“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”  Genesis 1:28

We are complementary, we bring different traits, abilities, thought patterns and emotions to marriage. Our bodies complement each other in the way we express our love and commitment to each other. Male and female are how God designed us and there are no exceptions[ii].

To that end we must recognise that God did not create some of us with a gay gene, he did not set some people up for a fall. There is ample research on factors that affect how same sex attraction occurs[iii] that convince me that same sex attraction is not something God gave to us. Research shows us that there are many environmental factors that contribute to someone experiencing same sex attraction (even from a noticeably early age). This knowledge is extremely helpful and insightful to those questioning their own, or other people’s sexual identity because they give tangible answers to the question, did God make me this way?

No, God did not make us that way, God is good, he is a loving parent, and he would not set us up for a fall. Saying, “God created me this way,” is a way of justifying a behaviour that is contrary to God’s ways, an excuse, “I can’t help it, this is who I am.”

If you have believed the mantra, “Born This Way,” I urge you to carefully read this passage from 1 Corinthians 6 again, prayerfully asking God whether he would make us in such a way that we could not inherit his Kingdom. God is truth, in him there is no deception, let us not forget, Satan is known as the “deceiver,” he is the one who distorts the truth.

Numbers 23:19 reminds us: God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil?

God does not change his mind; he is not double minded. I like one interpretation of double mindedness which said, “Doublemindedness is fluctuating between God’s Word and people’s opinions.”[iv]

Doublemindedness is a human condition; our God is not flawed in any way and as such his mind is not set against itself. God would not have a desire that no one should perish yet create people who are unable to live in obedience to his word. I cannot think of other sinful behaviours that we would say we were born with. We are not born murderers, we are not born idolators, we are not born thieves, we are not born blasphemers, we are not born coveters - we do not excuse these behaviours and others by claiming them as an identity. And nor should we claim that God made any of us sinners, it is simply not true.

If you are a Christian who is confused as to what God’s word says about homosexual behaviours, please consider this quote from Joanne Highley once more: “The truth is God would never create people as homosexuals and then say they will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”[v]

God is not a cruel God, setting you up for a fall. Trust Him and listen to Him, allow Him to show you why his ways are best for you and trust that what he offers is authentic, not a counterfeit love such as the devil wants you to embrace.  
    
   _{[i] Mercy Triumphs over Judgment, by Joanne Highley
   [ii] Yes, I know that intersex exist, but that is a medical condition that I do not believe is reflective of how God created us, but a result of sin coming into the world and distorting the created order.
   [iii] See Richard Cohen’s book Gay Children, Straight Parents: A Plan for Family Healing for just one example of this research.
   [iv] What is double mindedness? | Kenneth Copeland Ministries (kcm.org)
[v] Mercy Triumphs over Judgment, by Joanne Highley}