"Trans" Christian

Introduction

Over the past several years, the issue of transgender-ism has generated a great deal of heated debate. Not only has it been debated, but it has gained a great deal of prominence. A lifestyle that was rejected by most of society less than a generation ago is becoming increasingly popular, accepted, and even celebrated. Just a handful of years ago, many of us likely never considered, heard of, or discussed transgender-ism. But today, we all know about it.

A definition of “transgender” is “someone whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex.” While many people today try to argue that gender and biological-sex are can be different, the very definition of transgender admits that there is a biological truth, and being transgender involves having a personal identity that contradicts that truth. When someone is transgender, they typically want to be something other than what they are; they think they are something different than what they are; and they may even act (in various levels) like something they are not.

This sermon is not about transgender-ism, the transgender movement, or even the moral climate of our society. But I use this hot-topic issue because I think there is something we can learn and be warned of. What I want to ask and consider is, “are you a trans-Christian?” To clarify, there are people who call themselves “transChristians” and what they mean is they are transgender and Christians. That’s not what we’re talking about. I use that phrase the same way as it applies to “transgender” or other “trans” situations. Essentially, when I ask are you a trans-Christian, I mean do you think you are a Christian, when in reality you are not? Do you identify as a Christian, when the reality is something else?

To consider this question, we will look at what we desire, think, say, and do.

Just Because You Want to be Something, Doesn’t Mean You Are

In a case of a transgender person, usually the individual wants to be something other than what they are. I.E. a man wants to be a woman or a woman wants to be a man. But aside from gender issues, we understand that desire doesn’t equal reality. Now, sometimes, desire can motivate us to act so that our desire becomes a reality. Other times, we may desire something that is simply impossible.

I can desire to be thinner. The fact that I want to be thinner doesn’t mean I am thinner. If I will use that desire to prompt change in behavior, however, over time I can turn that desire into a reality.

Sometimes my children say they want to be a bird so they can fly. I remember think that as a child. But no matter how intensely a child (or adult) wants to be a bird, they are not a bird.

We may desire to be 8’ tall, be able to breath underwater, or walk on the sun. No matter how intensely we desire these things, they cannot happen.

We need to realize that when it comes to Christianity, desire does not equal reality. We may want to be a Christian, but that doesn’t mean we are. We may desire eternal life, but that desire alone doesn’t mean I will inherit eternal life. I may desire to be a better husband, a better friend, more prayerful, or more obedient to God. But I can desire to be a better husband while not acting like a better husband. I may wish I wouldn’t sin, yet still choose to sin. Simply put, it is not enough to want to be a Christian—we must act like a Christian.

In Romans, Paul addresses the difficulty of desire and reality. Speaking of man’s condition, Paul says,

Romans 7:19 ESV

For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

Paul discusses this at length, but Paul is not excusing sin. He is not saying that sin is ok as long as we want to do what is right. Paul is pointing out that, without Christ, sin controls us. There is nothing we can do to overcome sin. Without God’s Word, there is no way we can be freed from sin. A few verses later Paul says

Romans 8:4–8 ESV

in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Again, Paul is not saying it is ok to sin as long as we want to not sin. If we want to do what is right, then we must follow God. We must hear and read His Spirit-Given word, and then obey it. When we do what the Bible tells us to do, then we will be doing God’s will.

The good news is when it comes to desiring to be Christian, it is the type that can lead to change. Being a Christian is not an impossible thing, and it’s not beyond our grasp. We simply have to turn our desire into trusting, faithful action that obeys God.

Just Because You Think you are Something, Doesn’t Mean You Are

While some cases of transgender-ism are nothing more than immoral choices, there are people who truly believe and think they are different than what they are. There are men who truly think they should be a woman, and vice-versa. Not long ago, transgender-ism was considered a medical condition because of this, because thinking you are something that you are not is not healthy—it’s a problem.

We must remember that just because we think we are a Christians, or just because we believe we are a Christian, doesn’t mean we are. It is possible to believe the wrong things. It is possible to think something earnestly, but be deluded. Paul says,

1 Corinthians 4:3–4 ESV

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Paul also warns that there are people who are and will be deluded.

2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 ESV

The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Belief and thought do not equal reality. That may be a frightening idea—after all, does that mean we could be deluded? Yes, it does, but within the passage is the key to not being deluded. God does not arbitrarily pick some people to delude. Paul says it is those who do not love the truth. It’s those who have pleasure in unrighteousness.

We have to be very honest with ourselves—do we love the truth? When God’s Word rebukes us, do we accept it and change or come up with an excuse for our actions? Are we willing to be transformed by God’s Word, or are we still conforming to the world? Be careful—devote yourself to the truth so that you don’t give way to a delusion and think you are God’s child, when in truth, you are not.

Just Because You Say You are Something, Doesn’t Mean You Are

In the transgender movement, what is said is very important. A man adamantly claims he is a woman. He even demands that other people call him a woman. But just because a man says he is a woman, and just because he convinces others to say he is a woman, does not make him a woman. The same is true with Christianity.

We can say we are a Christian, but that doesn’t mean that we are. If we say we are a Christian but we live like the world, then what are we? Obviously, we are wordly, not Christian. After all, Judas called Jesus his “rabbi” and even kissed him, but he was actually betraying Jesus.

While we are supposed to confess Jesus, and we should not be ashamed to tell others we follow Christ, the Bible is clear that our confession should be backed up with conduct.

John writes, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth.” (1 Jn. 3:18)

Paul exhorted Timothy to set an example for believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity (1 Tim. 4:12)

Peter addresses Christian conduct multiple times in his first epistle. He says

Christians are to be holy in all your conduct (1 Pet. 1:15)

Our conduct towards outsiders should be honorable, so that when they try to speak against us as evildoers they will instead see good works (1 Pet. 2:12)

Wives are to be subject even to unbelieving husbands, so that they might be won without a word by the conduct of their wives (1 Pet. 3:1-2)

We may say we are Christians. Others may even say we are Christians. But does our conduct prove we really are Christians?

Just Because You Do Some “Christian” things, Doesn’t Mean You are a Christian

Lastly, when someone thinks they are something else, it will likely impact their behavior to some degree. For example, a transgender person may dress like the opposite sex, or mimic typical behaviors and traits of the opposite sex. But once again, just because a woman might dress like, walk like, and talk like a man, doesn’t mean she is a man.

Spiritually, it is possible to do some Christian things, but not actually be a Christian. Worship is a good and important part of Christianity. But just because we show up to a worship service once a week does not mean we are faithful Christians. If we attend a worship service for 1-3 hours each week, but live like the world the rest of the time, we are not following Christ.

We may obey some of God’s Word, but if we’re not committed to following all of God’s Word, can we really say we are Christians? Consider the very topic of transgender-ism. There are many professing Christians that adamantly and vocally condemn transgender and homosexual behavior. They are quick to point out these things are unnatural and an abomination to God. And then some of these same people commit fornication, adultery, or partake in other immorality themselves. When the gay-marriage debate was prominent, one of the key criticisms that was often levied against mainstream Christianity in America was that so many professing Christians didn’t abide by the Bible’s teachings about divorce and remarriage, and sadly, that was a fair criticism!

Too often, we do just enough “christian” things to look like a Christian, and maybe we convince others we are Christians, but in reality, we are not. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees saying,

Matthew 23:27–28 ESV

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Following Jesus is not about picking out a couple of commands here and there that we will obey. Christianity is a complete subjection of our will to Christ, and total submission to His will. It means serving God with ALL of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. It means learning and teaching ALL of Jesus’ commands (Mt. 28:18-20). Until that is our attitude, goal, and purpose, we are just doing a few Christian things but not actually following Christ.

Conclusion

So what are you? Are you a Christian, or are you a “trans-Christian?” Is your faith more than just desires, thoughts, and words? Is your commitment to Christ absolute, or are you just going through some of the motions?