I’ve lost count of the number of times I have heard this statement. It usually comes from someone justifying a lifestyle or behavior. One might explain away his temper by saying, “I just have a short fuse.” Another might say, “I’m not good at confrontation” while avoiding a brother in sin. Many justify their active gay or lesbian lifestyle by declaring that “God made me this way!” All these statements have at their heart the idea that God made me to sin and, I should stop resisting and just be the person God made me to be. In other words, it’s God’s fault so I will surrender.
We snuggle in the comfort of our excuses, that is, until someone rips away the covers and exposes the emptiness of our claim.
You Were Made in God’s Image
God is the Creator. He made all there is, from inanimate rocks to humans. Mankind was the last to be created. He formed man and then woman as the crowning glory of his work.
“Then 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” (Genesis 1:26, 27).
In whatever way we are made, it is like unto God. We are not God, only like him in certain ways. Uniquely, we have a soul (Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:45). We were originally sinless and destined to live in the presence of God (c.f. Genesis 1:28-31; 3:8). We, like all of creation, were pronounced “very good” by God (Genesis 1:31).
Undeniably, a good and holy God could produce no evil. We were not made for evil but for good (Ephesians 2:10).
You Were Made for Victory
If you are like me, you have suffered many defeats and losses. We foul up more than we want to admit. But God did not make us losers! Listen to Paul extol his victory:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing”
(2 Timothy 4:7, 8).
Paul said Christians were “more than conquerors” in Christ (Romans 8:7). When the battle is hard, we have full confidence that God will make a way of escape.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”
(1 Corinthians 10:13)
Those who suffer the temptations of homosexuality are not unique; they are not alone. But just like every other temptation, God will sustain you and deliver you from your burden. The only way to fail is to surrender.
If your temper comes fast and your words are biting and uncensored, you can overcome. God will help. The only way to fail is to surrender.
Satan promotes the lie that God made you to sin. He did not. Satan is a liar (John 8:44) and must be rejected. Don’t give up. God and his people will walk with you through your trials.
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