Born this Way

Our nature, our natural inclinations, our wants, and our dispositions are not, naturally, God’s way or God’s purposes for us.

While God created us with purpose in mind and allows us to be born into this world, from His reign of sovereignty, He gives us all free will to choose His ways or not. 


Consider this: The cutest little toddler is often opposed to sharing his or her toys. Maybe a child’s nature is to hoard or to resist generosity. The well-behaved teenager is often struggling with identity and may do unusual things to "fit in". Maybe a teenager’s nature is to rebel. The high-functioning adult is often stressed. Maybe an adult’s nature is to feel burdened by responsibilities. The seasoned senior often relives yesteryear. Maybe an elderly person’s nature is to revel in past glories or wallow in the regret of yesterday's mishaps. My point is that human nature is variable. Human nature is self-centered. Human nature prefers pleasure to discomfort. Human nature indicates a natural inclination to oppose the holiness of God. For God is unchanging; he never grows weary or tired.


As human beings, we are all born in sin and shaped in iniquity.


Sit with these truths for a moment. Reflect on the following scriptures:

Psalms 51:5
Romans 5:12-14
Ephesians 2:3
John 3:6

Romans 5:12 



So what do we do about our “I was born this way”, “God made me this way” beliefs?

  1. We run to the transformative love, grace, goodness of our Redeemer. Ephesians 4:28
  2. We get washed by the water of God’s truth. Ephesians 5:26 
  3. We take up our cross daily. Luke 9:23
  4. We let love have its perfect work. 1 John 4:17, 1 John 5:2-3


What sin remains in our lives that we have dismissed, diminished, overlooked, or characterized as a “born-this-way”, "just my personality", "it's not that bad" inclination? What is God calling us to let go of? What cross must we take up and carry? 


Be holy; for I am holy says the Lord. 

Leviticus 19: 1-2

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