77. What is the Christian perspective on persons who are confused about their sexual identity?
During adolescence, most people come to realize a growing interest and attraction toward the opposite sex--a desire and attraction that God intended when He created us male and female and established marriage between man and woman. Christians realize that a desire and attraction for the opposite sex is the God-given basis for marriage, for the conception and birth of children, and for the future of earthly human life.
Some persons, however, may discover that they are attracted to individuals of the same sex. Others may feel uncomfortable with the sex they were born with and wish they were, or believe they are, the opposite sex with the wrong body. Such desires result from our fallen nature and are contrary to the will of God. Therefore we should
A. remember that our chief identity is given in Baptism--that we are God's children and heirs of heaven;
B. respect our identity as male or female as indicated by the body God gave us;
C. respect God's intentions for us as male and female;
D. remember and be obedient to God's command that all desires for sexual activity are to be curbed and disciplined until we are married;
E. remember that while most people will marry, God's Word also praises and blesses those who serve Him by living chastely without marrying;
F. seek the assistance of parents and also pastors, counselors, or other Christian professionals where that is needed or beneficial;
G. trust that God's grace is sufficient for us, and look to Christ for daily forgiveness, strength, and contentment.
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.
Isaiah 29:16 You turns things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, "He did not make me"; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, "He has no understanding"?
Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the lfesh, to gratify its desires.
Romans 1:26-27 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those what are contray to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
1 Corinthians 7:17 Only let each peron lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.
Note: In an extremely small number of cases, individuals are born with sexual ambiguity, for example, with chromosomal abnormalities or with bodies that are not clearly male or female. Their families should depend on the best medical advice available, seeking to treat the condition in a way that is both medically and morally responsible.
Eventual commentary
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