Born This Way?

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

I was born this way.

We hear that a lot in our culture today. I am the way I am because I was born this way. Most of the time people say that to justify who they are and their life choices.

You want to know something? They are absolutely right. They were born this way.

BUT, here is the caveat – being born this way is nothing close to intended this way.

You see, when God created the heavens and the earth and when God created human beings, God created us as he intended – and God saw what he created and declared – “Ahhh. That’s what I’m talking about. This is very good.”

But that’s not the life you and I currently live. Because of the Fall, because of sin, we are born this way.

• Born with broken desires
• Born to yearn and long for the very things that will destroy us
• Born to do the very things that will destroy the hearts of those who love us
• Born to lie, deceive, and cheat

None of these are learned traits. We are born with them.

BUT just because we were born this way does NOT mean that we were intended to be this way. Just because we have these yearnings and desires doesn’t mean they are right, good, or God-honoring.

God invites us to return to who he intended us to be. We do that by repenting and surrendering our disordered and sinful desires and submit to God’s direction.

Born this way. But certainly not intended to be this way. Return. Repent. And Surrender to God’s intended will.