I've been thinking for a little while now about the phrase “I was born this way.” Of course, I’ve often thought of this saying as a cop-out for those people looking for an excuse for their weakness or for their worldly behavior. However, I’ve recently realized that this is not an excuse for anyone, because it’s quite true and factual. As a Christian, I’ll often hear in church about the whole “born-again” thing, but recently I have actually given it some of the full thought and attention it deserves – I thank my dad for taking me out into the woods for a hike where I could clear my head.
I know what it was like to be born in
the world, which is full of sin and darkness. I inherited a fallen nature
through my natural lineage that goes all the way back to Adam and Eve. I could
not be blamed for any amoral/ungodly behavior I partook in since that potential
was in me before I was even born, any more than I could be blamed for having a
fever if I were to become ill; one is a direct and even common result of the
other. Though I could take responsibility for my behavior and refine it, I
could never be perfect in that fallen condition. I also know, more and more all
the time, what it means to be born again in Christ, a new man with a new
nature, born of that incorruptible seed. But forgetting this as often as I do,
sadly, I forego the literally life-changing power that can be working in me
through the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul wrote, “I die daily,” because he was
aware of the old life which must be done away with and the new life, born of
the Spirit, growing and developing on a daily basis, taking the place of the
old man. What Paul said also demonstrates the fact that this is something a
true Christian needs, on a daily basis, to be mindful of.
I don’t know that I’ve ever said out
loud that I don’t agree with or even have contempt for anyone who says, “I was
born this way,” but I know that it was in my thoughts and behavior. For those
who’ve learned a short temper from their parents, seem to have a predisposition
towards addiction, have a difficult time in social situations, etc. I must
apologize; I never meant to allow my ill-conceived thoughts and beliefs to put
up this wall in my heart between us. Many of you have said to me, “I was born
this way,” and have consequently been dismissed, ignored, and neglected. That
did not come from the love of God. But He is still working with me, correcting
me when I am wrong, and showing Himself to be strong. And some day, when
someone inevitably notices the godly change in my behavior, in my nature, and
even in my thoughts and emotions, and asks me, “How can you be so _____?” in
honor of you my reply will be, “I was RE-born this way!”
This has been something that’s been
turning over and over in my thoughts for about a week now, so I thought I’d
share it here. I hope God can use it to bless you. Thanks for reading.
