Thinking Christian: A Counter-Culture WorldviewSample

GOD is DESIGNER

There is something beautiful and good about sitting by a fire—indoors with a cup of tea and a good book, outdoors roasting marshmallows and laughing with friends late into the night. There is also something devastating and terrible about fire- when drought persists, a spark can turn into a raging inferno, or an untended candle can burn down a whole house. How can something be good and cause so much disaster? Is fire good or bad? It can be both. Fire must be respected, treated with care, and guarded in order for it to be beautiful and good.

The reflection on fire helps us reflect on issues of sex, sexuality, and gender. It may be a topic of political debate, but it is deeply personal. More than that, this is deeply biblical and spiritual. The cultural view has promised freedom and fulfillment through the sexual revolution to today. The church has struggled not to view these things with fear, fixation, and hypocrisy. There is a better way. A way that begins with this truism: True sexual wholeness comes by embracing God’s design. Today’s scriptures are a meditation on biblical principles of sexuality and gender:

1- Your body matters to God.

2- God’s design reveals God’s purpose for you.

3- Your true freedom comes by adhering to God’s boundaries.

4- Your identity in Christ transcends your sexual identity.

5- Feelings cannot be the deciding factor in right vs. wrong.

6- Your sexual wholeness is a witness to the world.

Together, these biblical principles remind us that God is an incredible DESIGNER! With an abundance of love and care He uniquely and purposefully made all things, including each body that has lived and will live on this earth. To be carefully crafted by the hands of God is to be made in His image. As His image bearer, His intention is that you flourish in your God-given body as a reflection of His goodness and love.

Ask Yourself:

-Which of these biblical principles is difficult for me to understand or believe for myself?

-What feelings rise up in me as I read these scriptures and principles? What does it look like for me to surrender my feelings to God, and humbly receive His Truth in order to think Christianly about these things?

Pause to Pray:

God, I praise You for Your design. You made me so wonderfully complex, and You know me, inside and out. Trust and truth are not easy to understand and grasp in this world. But I want to trust You. I want to believe You. Help my unbelief! Open my eyes to see the beauty in me and in all the people You have made. I long to be Your flourishing image bearer. I invite You to-

search me and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalm 139:23-24 NLT)

Amen…

Take a Next Step:

As you end your days, use Psalm 139:23-24 for reflection and confession.