Nancy Wichmann

A month ago I had the “opportunity” to confront two groups of right-wing Christians who delighted in telling me that I was an evildoer and going to Hell. Despite my profession of Christ as my Savior, they persisted in judging me simply because I am a transsexual.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) How can anyone living in this world today possibly know whether I believe? “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Who ever believes in him is not condemned, …” (John 3:17-18) There are only two people who know whether I believe or not – me and God – and God is not going to tell you because it’s none of your business.

If anyone has reason to doubt that I am saved, let him, or her, come forward with his or her personal confession of belief and share it. “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) “You will be witnesses … to the ends of the Earth.” (Acts 1:8) You will reach people with good news, a humble heart, and personal conviction; you will not reach them with condemnation and judgment. Indeed, your judging and condemnation put you at risk for the same.

There is a right way to correct someone: “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” (Galatians 6:1) Paul is not telling you to thump your Bible in someone’s face; he does not tell you to shout at people; he doesn’t tell you promise Hell. Be gentle; be spiritual; be open to the leading of the Spirit. “If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus…” (I Timothy 4:6)

However, after sharing with someone else, you must also be willing to listen, “Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructors.” (Galatians 6:6) A wise teacher often learns from his/her students.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) Listening to the person in the pulpit every week is not enough; you must study God’s word on your own, and with others, and then meditate upon it. The Bible is not being changed any more; God must deliver His messages for today through the mouths of others.

Only God has the certain knowledge of whether I have accepted Christ. I believe I have, but I am only human, subject to human frailties and bewilderment. No one else can know. You can test me to see if I know the Word; you can assess my behavior to see if it seems Godly to you. But you cannot know whether I accept that Jesus died for me.

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) God not only knows whether I believe, He has always known, and he has things for me to do. “…God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.” (Acts 10:29) Your job is to instruct; it is God’s job to judge.

Am I saved? That’s between me and God.