(This post is written to my Christian brothers and sisters; all are welcome to listen.)
We often hear people say today, “I was born this way,” or “God made me this way” as a justification for their preferred self-narrative, or excuse for their choices.
This idea holds less theological water than a colander.
This is logic from Satan, inconsistent with what the Bible teaches us. We’re all born dead in sin, and yet held accountable by God for that sin. God has provided a solution to a restored relationship with Him through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus and sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
Supporting passages to explore:
“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3 and following)
“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:1-6)
“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins” (Colossians 2:13)
I note that people do not apply the “born this way” logic to pedophiles, embezzlers, thieves, gluttons, drunkards, serial killers, rapists, and murderers – though people routinely claim they were indeed born that way. This demonstrates the inconsistency of the argument. Personal selectivity in defining something as not a sin is a hazardous venture. You are setting your views above the Word from our Lord. You diminish the awful price Jesus paid to save us. Frankly, it’s a Teflon-coated slope to a place you don’t want to be.
God holds everyone accountable (Ecclesiastes 12:14; 2 Corinthians 5:10). All things are possible with God (Matthew 19:26) – including overcoming the pull of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
None of this means we stop loving others. We’re commanded to love others as Christ loves them, which includes calling them to righteousness and away from sin. We judge those inside the Church fellowship, but not outside it (see 1 Corinthians 5:12-13).
We should hold our leaders to high standards of behavior. They are not “above” anyone. They are steering and setting the pace. Their example is especially influential. We have a host of historical examples of what happens when we don’t hold leaders to a high standard.
“Born this way”? Yes. Yet God loves us so much He doesn’t leave us there.
