THOUGHTS ON CONFUSION OF IDENTITY 
 
WE LIVE in an era of confusion about identity in many different areas today. There is an identity crisis. Here are some random thoughts on this. 
 
Although God has physically made us male and female on purpose (Genesis 1:27,28), and called His creation "very good" (Genesis 1:31), there is confusion about human sexual identity in our society today. Such an era, and such a distorted mentality, was ushered in by rock musicians and rock music intentionally trying to project an androgynous image (male and female in one person, leaving it up to you to try to figure out what they are). And a generation brought up on such nonsense has a hard time trying to figure out personally just who and what they are. It is no wonder that we are plagued with this senseless talk of same sex marriages with increased homosexual and bisexual activity. There are a lot of mixed up people, and confusion abounds! 
 
Then to add to the confusion, or perhaps to help bring it on, the distinctive roles of male and female in our society have been blurred. God has a plan, and it calls for the man to take the lead and be the head of the family. Women have been brainwashed into thinking that they must work outside of the home (or they are not being "fulfilled"), instead of really being a mother to their children (and shaping souls for time and eternity, I Timothy 2:15). A higher dignity and respect has been traded for a place that before was a man's world. Confusion reigns, and the American family is falling apart. 
 
In another realm there is a glaring identity crisis too. The distinctive spiritual role and identity of the church seems to have been lost somewhere along the way. What is the church anyway? What is its purpose and mission? Did Jesus die on the cross to bring about a new political order? Is the church just a civic club and a community center? And then, is entertainment and the restaurant business part of its function? One wonders. If Noah had lived today and had the mentality of some in church circles, when God said to build an ark, he probably would have built a gymnasium. Paul, using the Grecian games as an illustration, said, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible" (I Corinthians 9:24,25). But to visit insome churches today, that is not the impression we get. It is not an incorruptible (spiritual) crown, but the corruptible one that gets our attention. On public display are all the trophies won in athletic competition. Did Jesus die on the cross for this? It is as someone has said, "If the church would stop trying to compete with the world in such areas as politics, amusements and food services she would gain spiritual strength." There is a question of identity. Confusion reigns. What is the church all about? (VOL. 34, NO. 3, 1996)

 
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