When kids ask these questions, it's not always easy to answer or even comprehend in today's whacky world. Let's start with some basic definitions. Aside from a few rare cases, you were given XY chromosomes from your mom and dad, or you were given XX chromosomes from your mom and dad. Those chromosomes determine your sex assigned at birth.
But what gender do you identify as? The world says you define your own gender based on how you see yourself. And it may not match your gender on the outside. Preferred pronouns are words to refer to a person, but not necessarily to a gender. There are so many different pronoun lists I can't keep up.
Where's our starting point as Christians? Well, let's look at God's list and see how many genders there are. God says in Genesis 1:27
"So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God, he created him;
male and female, he created them."
That's our starting point from a biblical worldview. With every gender identity or preferred pronoun, there is one thing in common - humanity. We are all human, and that is how we see ourselves. Even if you identify as an animal or plant, you know you are human. God imprinted that knowledge in you.
If we are all human, that means we are made in God's image. That also means we were meant to have a relationship with God. To be human also refers to consciousness of right and wrong. And knowledge of right and wrong leads to guilt from the wrong behavior. We feel guilty about behavior because we know there is a God that is going to hold us accountable.
Gender Ideology is about individuals determining their own gender identity, whether or not it matches their sex assigned at birth.
How should Christians respond? How should Christians treat our fellow humans? Think about God as our great example. Does God treat anyone any differently based on their gender identity or sexual orientation? No, He doesn't.
God is love. And He loves his creation. God does not have to support the behavior to love people. God does not have to affirm their beliefs to love people. Really the Gospel message is rooted in love. Truth in love. That's our starting point. The truth is we are all human. The truth is that we all are made in the image of God, our Creator. The truth is that God desires to have a relationship with each one of us. But because of sin and guilt, we naturally don't want the same thing. So we end up hurt, lonely, depressed, unhappy, and miserable. We're constantly searching for something or someone to take away the guilt and pain.
That's where we as children of God come in. We are to be that light that shines bright for Christ. We are to share God's truth wrapped in love. We need to let the world know there is a way to be truly happy. To be truly loved. But how can we share God's love if we are not showing God's love? If we are rude, mean, and disrespectful, how will they see and experience the love of Christ?
We are all sinners in need of a Savior. Before God saved you, you were headed in the same direction as every other sinner—a life of hopelessness. When we are chosen by God, we can rest assured that he loves us—for time and eternity. It is our high calling to share the light of Jesus with people who are trapped in the darkness of gender ideology confusion. When the opportunity presents itself, be ready to share that light with love, gentleness, and with respect.
