‘God Made Them Male and Female’ (Jesus Christ)
Christians look at the world in a very different way than much of the culture around us. We take our cues from Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith. The world determines its own boundaries. There have always been varying degrees of overlap between the worldview of the Christian and the worldview of the culture at large. Right now, in Canada, there isn’t a lot of similarity on matters of sexuality, gender, marriage, family, and even personal identity for Christians and culture. For instance, in the world’s view, gender is a sociological construct that needs to be eradicated. Gender identity has become virtually a result of human imagining, i.e., self-determining. Furthermore, the prevailing wind of our confused world wants to “obliterate oppressive cultural categories of the past so that people can be truly free.”
On the other hand, in the teaching of the Bible, gender is a sacred category that is received from God, not determined by man. There is no wiggle room in the Bible’s teaching about our nature as male and female. Our conscience is bound to the Bible in viewing only two genders, male and female. In the teaching of Jesus and the rest of the Bible, gender coordinates with one’s anatomical/biological reality. But for we Christians it’s much more than just a biological battle, it’s a struggle to define human identity as God defines it. It’s more than a political debate. It’s a crucial and spiritual matter. It’s a matter of orthodoxy, not personal preference.
Addressing questions about divorce in Mark Chapter 10, Jesus said:
“… from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Our gender identity is rooted in the original creation of the world when ‘God made them male and female.’ When God created mankind on the 6th day of creation, He pronounced His newest and best creation as “very good.” Christians hold firm to the original creation of man and woman as described in the Bible in part because of the dignity and value that is bestowed on man by His Creator God.
Of course, Jesus’ words came straight out of the Genesis account of creation where we read that God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them.” Christians hold firm to the original creation of man and woman as described in the Bible because of the highest honour we have in being created in the image of God. There is a transcendent purpose in our existence. We were created for the glory of God and for His purpose and honour.
The only acceptable conclusion for the Christian to embrace is the one that Jesus our Lord made in Mark 10, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Join me Sunday as we continue in our series called, “The Gospel and Culture,” as we study Jesus’ words from Mark 10 in greater detail.
Perfect Peace
- Our circumstances feel overwhelming and hopeless
- Our sleep is interrupted as we are shackled with concerns
- We experience fear of failure as a parent, friend, or co-worker
- Our mind is under siege with negative or self-centered thoughts
- We throw ourselves into the activities that distract us from anxiety
- We find ourselves calling a family member, friend or co-worker to overcome depression
The apostle Paul also talked about peace in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”
Wait a minute; God is the Lord of peace and gives peace? We can have it “at all times”?
In Colossians 3:15 Paul addresses the Christians at Colossae with, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” So, God gives peace, but we have to allow the peace of Christ to rule our lives.
In Jude 1:2 it says, “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.” The mercy, peace and love I have can be multiplied…but how?
My favourite scripture about peace is Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Allow me to share The Passion Translation version of that same verse, “Perfect, absolute peace surrounds those whose imaginations are consumed with you; they confidently trust in you.”
I want to be consumed and obsessed with who God is and trust that He has things under control.
These scriptures make it clear:
- God gives peace
- We have to let peace rule our hearts
- Peace can be multiplied
- Perfect peace is available if we consistently focus on and trust our Lord
Reflect on the many times God has been faithful. God was faithful in the Bible and has been faithful in our lives. Journal about the milestones in your past when God clearly was present…possibly only in retrospect.
Write Psalm 46:1 on an index card to remind yourself, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Also add 1 John 4:4, “Great is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
God can provide peace that surpasses all understanding. He is always present and always good.
Choose childlike faith. Surrender to God and draw closer to Him.
God wants us to expect and experience perfect peace in eternity and on earth.
Guest Contributor,
Laura Harris
