Page 4 - November 2022 - Truth & Tidings

Recognize God’s Design Romans 1 territory. As this world contin-

But what about gender, the TQ+ part of ues to turn away from the Creator and His
design for us, we hear His warnings about
the acronym? Are there really 16 genders being given over “to dishonorable pas-
(or even 72, as some claim)? And is there sions” (Rom 1:26), so that we hear phrases
a difference between sex and gender? such as “I don’t feel like there’s anything
Again, our safe space is Scripture. There
are only two genders – male and female. wrong with pursuing a homosexual re-
lationship” or, “I don’t feel ashamed or
“So God created man in his own image, guilty about what I am doing.” This may
in the image of God he created him; male be a frightful conclusion as we consider
and female he created them” (Gen 1:27).
Nowhere in God’s Word is a distinction the nearly exponential increase we are
made between sex and gender. It won’t seeing in the rejection of God’s design. But
this doesn’t mean we should give up, nor
do to say that when the Bible uses male/ does it lessen our responsibility to witness.
female, it means biological sex, but when
it refers to man/woman, it means gender. Rather, it seems even more urgent to reach
If so, why do we never read of a male a perishing world.
man, female woman, male woman or fe- Reflect God’s Love
male man? Also, gender is not something
chosen by individuals (as they begin to Every human being is to be treated with
develop “gender-specific behaviors”) but dignity and respect, regardless of their
is assigned by God. Scripture refers to a erroneous beliefs. Every person we meet
“male child” and a “female child” in the is made in God’s image, is loved by God
earliest stages of life, long before such and is one for whom Christ died. Our
behaviors could be expressed. And gender responsibility is to love lost sinners and
is not merely about having certain body attract them to the Savior, not repel them
parts. It is written into the DNA of every by unbecoming speech and behavior.
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cell in our bodies. No matter how a person We discredit the gospel we claim to have
may feel about their gender, true science embraced if we speak in a demeaning or
will lead anyone to recognize God’s de- disparaging way about anyone. But it will
sign. We are either male or female. Period. not be loving to approve of behavior that
But we live in a culture where feelings the Bible denounces. Nor will it be loving
are elevated above facts. We have seen a to use pronouns which contradict God’s
substantial rise in gender confusion within design. Perhaps it may be wise to avoid
the past decade in the West. It will likely pronouns in such cases and use an indi-
only escalate as teaching in many public vidual’s name instead. It may turn into a
schools on the subject encourages more of gospel opportunity to invite someone for
it. Its surge, along with the rise of all who coffee to hear their story and share why
identify with the LGBTQ+ movement, you have the convictions you do from
may be a sign of something more serious. God’s Word.
When emotions are more important than Every lost soul needs exactly what we
truth on these issues, we could be entering once needed – salvation from sin which
⁴ There are extremely rare cases of those born can only come through our Lord Jesus
with ambiguous genitalia. Genetic testing can Christ. They, too, need a safe space. And
be performed to determine gender. we, of all people, know where that is.

324 TRUTH kTidings November 2022