“Think about what people are doing on Facebook today. They’re keeping up with their friends and family, but they’re also building an image and identity for themselves, which in a sense is their brand. They’re connecting with the audience that they want to connect to. It’s almost a disadvantage if you’re not on it now.”
Mark Zuckerberg
I’m quoting an idiot. Sorry to be so blunt, but there’s a point to quoting this idiotic statement. It’s because everyone believes it which means we’re all idiots. I’m not any smarter for pointing it out because in a sense I believe it too. We all seem to think we create our own identities. What utter nonsense! Did we create ourselves?
I happen to read a philosophy paper written by a Stanford graduate of Sociology the other day about identity. They began writing about different forms of identity such as a social identity, a personal identity and so forth. But in conclusion, the writer admitted that nobody has yet figured out exactly what identity is or how to properly define it. We use it in social circles with certain assumptions but all in all, even the higher thinkers in secular society cannot define it. There’s a reason for this. They forgot to remember that they are not the definer’s. It’s no wonder why there is so much confusion over the matter. We have a Great Definer who has all proper authority to define who we are.
This brings me to my main point as I am trying to continue off of my last post. After my last post, I searched the Scriptures to find all the passages about homosexuality. Before I begin what I am trying to say, I want to make a disclaimer. If someone lies, we call them a liar. If someone steals, we call them a thief. We DO define people by what they do. However, I noticed that whenever the Bible speaks about homosexuality, it never calls the person a “homosexual”. A couple of examples:
For whatever purpose or reason, God decided to not label the person, but the act. We see in the same passages that men are “liars”, “perjurers” and “adulterers”. But for some reason, they are not “homosexuals”. They are men who practice homosexuality. One is an act, another is a person. I’m sure it could be argued that we could just go ahead and give that title to them. We do already. But, maybe for some reason beyond my own understanding, I cannot seem to find any passage that labels the person as identifying with that particular sin. This has caused me to think heavily about it and how we tackle the issue of homosexuality especially in the context of our culture now that “gay marriage” is legal. I personally think that the Bible gives those who practice homosexuality more dignity than those who support them.
They won the fight in our culture because they got away with labeling themselves as a particular group of people. Now they have an identity based upon what they do. They are “gays” or “homosexuals”. Now that they have identities as such, they can argue (and have successfully done so) for certain rights that other groups have of which they do not. Which to me is sort of odd, considering I do not label myself (nor does anyone else) by my sexuality. I’m not a “straight”. However, they have convinced society that they are an identity of people and particularly an identity of people who are victims.
I am no great evangelist. I don’t have all the proper formulas to reach a certain group of people. But I think what I see here is an opportunity to reach out to those who practice homosexuality. Society has given them an identity that they accept, and in fact they are proud of that identity. But how demeaning to be nothing more than a person who is labeled by your sexual attraction! We have something greater to offer.
Genesis 1:27” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them”
Regardless if they recognize and honor the God of the universe or not, they are created in His image. The Allmighty, Wonderful and Sovereign Lord of the universe who created all things chose to take one particular part of His creation and make it in His image. Us. Is there any greater identity than this? Is this not a great way to make those who practice homosexuality see themselves as something more important? Something greater? Best part of identifying themselves as one who is made in the image of God, is that it brings us to the gospel of Jesus the Christ. If we are made in His image, then it is not only the greatest dignity a man could have, but also the biggest responsibility. It’s not too far do we see our need of a Saviour since we did not carry the responsibility of God’s image correctly.
The secular world in it’s confusion cannot figure out what identity truly means. How could they? Like all relativism, it ends up in absurdity. But we have an Absolute God who has the final authority and is the definer of who we are. We live in a world where we identify ourselves. We Facebook ourselves and give others the impression that we are something we are not. Homosexuals define themselves by what they do. What a dishonor to themselves and what dishonor do they recieve by those who support them in their lifestyles! But what an honor it is to be found in Christ. To be identified as one who is made in the image of God. Is there any greater identity?
SDG
David's Mind 