Defining Ourselves

I read the following quote in an article by Joe Dallas, “Homosexual is a word best used as an adjective (‘I experience homosexual temptations’) rather than a noun (‘I am a homosexual’).”

It certainly caught my attention. Interesting, provocative, thought provoking. We have become accustomed to seeing words like homosexual, liar, murderer, drug user, transgender, adulterer, thief, racist, etc., used as nouns.

I certainly wrestle with various kinds of sinful temptations. I was born this way. I am this way. Everyone I know wrestles with differing temptations. Each of us struggles with what the Bible calls sin.

For me personally, I am tempted to covet certain things I don’t have. In particular (some personal self-disclosure) I covet vacation properties that some people have, and more than that, the time some people have to actually enjoy their vacation properties. I covet both. Am I a coveter, (noun) or do I struggle with the temptation to covet (adjective)?

I think in fairness it would be inaccurate for me, or you, to say that I am a coveter. That word does not define me. “Coveter,” however, is an accurate attribute about me. In case you are wondering, I struggle with more significant issues than coveting vacation properties.

The Dallas quote is a clarifying statement. I would not wish to be identified, or to find my identity as being heterosexual. It is an attribute about me but frankly I am so much more than that. When we label others with nouns, we do them great injustice. Each of us is so much more than a single label. Except for perhaps one label that actually does define me – “a sinner saved by grace.” This encompasses my total being.

One of the positives about church, in particular South Delta Baptist Church, is each of us comes here, imperfect, looking for hope and searching for answers in a safe place. Regardless of those issues, which tempt us to sin, we are all so much more than the attributes that describe us.

God is at work in us, and He is relentlessly pursuing us. We are loved more than we can possibly comprehend. God desires us to be transformed beyond those issues that tempt us and to become more and more like Jesus. Jesus is a safe place for all people. Are you and I, likewise, a safe place for all people?

We are the church, wherever we find ourselves.