A Look At Broken Culture: Identity (part 4)

I Corinthians 13:11

People have always struggled with their age. Kids always want to be that next milestone older. Then, when you become an adult, suddenly you want to be younger again. This is especially true as looks begin to fade and joints start to ache. Makeup is used to cover, and plastic surgery is used to reshape. In the end, however, this is all superficial. We are still just as old as we are, and sometimes the people who have the procedures done are left looking very fake. However, in our modern world of "identifying" as everything but what you are, some people have decided that they are "age fluid".

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When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

I Corinthians 13:11

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Everything I have discussed in this series has had a component that is sin, if not all of it being sin. There is something especially sinister about this one. It opens the door wide open for children to be preyed on, especially if paired with the transgenderism. Take both of these, and add in the fact that many people consider these identity derangements to be off limits from scrutiny, and pedophiles have a carte blanche to do whatever they want.

Time is linear. That means that it only moves in one direction. While scientists and fiction writers dream about time travel, it is not (and I believe never will be) a reality. That means that every moment that passes we are getting older. There is nothing we can do about that. So, we must make the most of the time we have in this life.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things". What he was saying is that there is a time for every person to be immature and irresponsible. We expect nothing more from little children. However, we teach them from a young age to learn responsibility. When a child matures into an adult, it is time to put those things away and be mature and responsible. This is an ongoing process as we get older. To want to go back in age is not only impossible, it is counter productive to the spiritual life.

Every moment we live, every decision we make, and every experience we have helps make us who we are. To take that away is to remove part of who we are. Not everything is fun, but it all shapes us. Our experiences can make us bitter or better. That part is our choice. Paul said in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose". This does not say that everything is good, but rather that God uses it for our good and to accomplish His purpose. This again plays out through the passing of time in our lives.

Once more, to identify as something we are not is to rebel against who God made us to be. It is an attempt to live in a fantasy world and not reality. It is a sad attempt to distort our life and to live the life of someone or something else. It is to live a lie. Let me share these verses with you in closing:

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,

A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Proverbs 12:22

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Revelation 21:8

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.

I Corinthians 6:9-11

Living a life that is a lie is a sin. God will judge that person if they never repent of that sin. That being said, they do have that option. They can repent (to turn away from) of their sin, ask God for forgiveness, and trust in Jesus as their Savior. If they do this, then they will be included in those of I Corinthians 6:9-11 who were those things, but they are now washed, sanctified, and justified.

Father, thank You for offering salvation to all of us. Thank You that none of us have to remain in our sins and under the condemnation that comes with that sin. I pray that anyone reading this, who does not know Your forgiveness of their sins, will come to that point. I pray that Your Spirit convict and redeem them.