Just Andrew
Many would like to argue that there is a spectrum of identities or biological differences between groups of people, but the Bible makes no such claim. There is no spectrum. God made them male and female with equal worth and complimentary roles. There is no difference between ethnic groups because all are descendants of Adam, made in the image of God. The arguments for different races and genders are not based upon biblical truth or science but divisive lies. We are all made from the dust and to the dust we shall return (Eccl 3:20). And yet, there is no contradiction in the biblical claim that there are in fact two types of people in the world. How do we identify these two people groups? More importantly, which group are we in? The Bible describes the differences between the groups to be spiritual and not biological. One is privileged and receives spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3) and the other only can only seek physical pleasures that never satisfy. One has an inheritance laid up for them in heaven (Eph 1:11) and the other has nothing to look forward to after death. One is sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance (Eph 1:13-14), and the other has no security. Both are made from the dust. Both are sinners. But one has crucified the flesh with its passions and desires and belongs to Christ (Gal 5:24). One has been saved by grace through faith and has repented of their sins and the other is dead in their trespasses and sin. One has yielded to Christ and has been granted eternal life, and the other has rejected Christ and has chosen death. The Bible describes the Christian as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9). The Christian is chosen by God and called to be holy, set apart, pure, exclusive and upright. Furthermore, Jesus Christ recognises two groups of people. He prays for those that are his and recognises them as those who are in the world and not of the world (John 17:11,17).
Anyone born in the royal family inherits great privileges. With those great privileges comes a great responsibility and conduct in keeping with their title. Buckingham Palace recently announced that Prince Andrew would no longer hold his title. He would now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. It followed mounting criticism over his former friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, which intensified after a string of damaging leaks (www.msn.com, poll-reveals-how-britons-feel-about-kings-action-against-andrew). They recognised that a royal title associating you with the King of England, could not coexist with gross sin and moral failure. He had disgraced the Palace and his calling. How much more concerned should the Christian be with his conduct and holiness. The Christian’s privilege far outweighs that of the royal family. The Christian’s inheritance is far more glorious. The Christian’s King is the King above all Kings. How dare we, point the finger at Andrew’s sexual immorality if we are also engaging in fornication or consuming pornography. How dare we think that there will be a greater judgement for Andrew, then there will be for those who masquerade as Christians and use God’s name in vain. Andrew’s sins are deplorable. But let it be a wake-up call for anyone who thinks that their dark deeds won’t one day be exposed. Let it be the wake-up call to seek God for forgiveness and repent from your sins.
A true Christian’s inheritance is never revoked. Once you are saved, you are always preserving. Once you are born again, you always growing. Once you are adopted by the Father, you are always his. Once and for all, Christ died and paid the penalty for the sins of all who believe in him. The Christian is not perfect. We are not even close. My 4-year-olds child picture is a closer reflection of me than I am of Christ. Praise God that when we sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). Praise God that, that we are not just saved from the penalty of sin but from slavery to sin. The Christian has been set free, and the unbeliever is bound (John 8:34-36). It is, therefore, important to see that what you call yourself is not the most significant issue. There are many who think they are a man trapped in a woman’s body. There are many who consider one ethnic group worse than another. There are many who call themselves Christians and live in sin. I place them all together because they are all equally as deceived as each other. They fail to see the significance of our nature. If you are a Christian, you have been given a supernatural nature the moment you were born again. If you are a Christian, you abide in God and God abides in you. If you are a Christian, you have been set free spiritually from the bondage to sin. You have been equipped with the Word and the Holy Spirit. You have the power of prayer. You have the fellowship and encouragement of the saints. You have Christ. You have every reason and been given every tool necessary to live the holy life you have been called to.
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. (1 Peter 2:11).
