The transgender discussion is something that has dramatically heightened over the last few months. And with the recent introduction of Caitlyn Jenner, formally known as Bruce Jenner, many people have fled to their social media feeds in order to share their opinions to the world. Might I say, many of these opinions are ill-minded and without love.
It seems as if mocking and ridiculing people who are transgender has become justifiably okay in the eyes of many of Christians. This doesn’t help the Gospel of Jesus at all. It’s wrong, regardless of what scripture you are using to combat the situation.
I don’t know the former Olympic gold medalist personally, but I do know that as a Christian I’m called to show love, compassion and grace. I know that Jesus would welcome Caitlyn Jenner to his dinner table without question, and I believe that anyone who calls themselves a Christ follower is called to reflect an image of similarity. Here are a few reasons why.
1. Jesus is love.
“Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”—1 John 4:8
2. Jesus is grace.
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”—John 1:17
3. Jesus isn’t partial.
“For God shows no partiality.”—Romans 2:11
4. Jesus welcomes sinners. (We’re all sinners)
“And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”—Luke 15:2
This Is A Human Life
I’d be lying if I said I can fully wrap my brain around the idea of being transgender, but that doesn’t mean I’m to withhold a love and compassion. This is a topic that many of us are still learning about. And while DON’T believe someone needs to modify their body in order to embrace the person God has called them to be, this doesn’t you will find me lining up to cast the first stone against someone I know very little about. There is more to the story than plastic surgery. This is a human life…
Jesus is the definition of love and grace, and let’s not forget that he will never be found partial towards one person or another. You don’t have to agree with someone’s decisions in order to show them love. Many people forget this, and I believe this truth to be the very reason that Christians are looked at as judgmental and hypocritical. Many don’t know how to love people who are different from them. Isn’t that what the great commission is all about? Sharing hope with people who are different from you…
So while many Christians and non-Christians alike continue to throw stones and make fun of someone who now wants be referred to as a woman, I’ll be over here showcasing love and grace to someone who is in need of a friend. As I’ve written in a previous post, If Christians truly care about the sanctity of life, they will be more cautious in the ways in which they treat a community whose suicide rate is currently at 40%.
You don’t have to condone something to show compassion.
