Articles
Who Are You?
In our present “I am offended” society it occurs to me that the offended take umbrage at the most innocent and even well-intentioned comments because their identity is defined by an issue rather than higher qualities.
»The mention of Mother’s Day offends the childless because their infertility has become a major part of their identity.
»A comment about some pet mishap offends someone who is fixated on and overly sensitive to animal rights.
»An intended compliment about overcoming a handicap is slammed because the handicapped, who insist that they are “just like everyone else,” define themselves by their handicap (this recently happened in tributes to the late Stephen Hawking).
American society is becoming increasingly splintered by a lack of bedrock values that create a clear, stable, confident identity.
Destructive progressivism encourages identity with issues that create subgroups who are excessively passionate about their cause. Phillip Johnson writes of the climate in many universities: “The most important thing about an individual is his or her membership in a subgroup (gays, women, African-Americans) rather than his or her identity either as an individual or as a member of a general scholarly culture … The purpose of education, at least in the humanities, is political transformation and empowerment …” (Reason in the Balance 114). But most disturbing is seeing evidence of this mindset among those who ought to be the most grounded of all – fellow Christians.
The issue to be considered is not whether some event or condition of birth or some other outward feature potentially has an impact on us. Obviously, to be abused as a child, shamed by a deformity, raised in poverty, abandoned by a parent, fired unfairly, and many other cruelties of life cause pain. The real issue is: How am I going to define myself? There are plenty of people and situations that will deliberately or circumstantially try to pigeon-hole negatively. If we define ourselves as a victim, unloved, unworthy, rejected, inadequate, unimportant, untalented, too this, not enough of that, the end result will be a bitter, humorless, negative person who becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy of loneliness and failure. Worse yet, some convince themselves that even God doesn’t love them.
Those who savagely attack the Bible are ironically the ones that need it the most. They may see God’s standards as a moral straight-jacket, an intrusion on their freedom, the imposition of meaningless rites and empty rituals. They cry out, “I am my own person! No one can tell me what to be or how to live!” But they often find themselves lost in a maze of conflicting feelings, baggage from the past, lacking in confidence, stigmatized by a world that cares little for them. And they have no way to sort things out because they have rejected the only trustworthy guide to human identity, fulfillment and hope.
To those embittered by the vicious treatment of others Jesus says, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven …” (Mt 5:44-45). Thus we don’t allow the evil done to us to define us; rather, we take control of our feelings by seeking the good will of those who have hurt us.
To those who are grieving over a lost child or a broken marriage, Paul says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Ph 4:6-7).
To those fretting over age-related decline or terrified by a serious diagnosis Paul says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor 4:16-18).
To those mired in financial worry, Jesus says, “Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things” (Mt 6:32-34). And Paul says, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound … I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Ph 4:13).
To those suffering persecution the Lord says, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven …” (Mt 5:11-12).
Do you see what is embedded in these scriptures (and many others that could be cited)? It is the awareness of God, the One who stands above all things and who loves us no matter what happens in this world. Our relationship with Him, and the reality of heaven, puts the disappointments, failures and sorrows of earthly life in perspective. This is what secularism is stealing from men’s hearts, and this is why many classify themselves in shallow, one-dimensional ways that leave them bitter and empty.
