Facebook Friends - Part 1 of 3
I have a few friends on Facebook that are believers (as in Christ-followers). Some of them have a keen interest in the heartbeat of our country and are dismayed in the direction that it is heading, both morally, and politically. They frequently post complaints about the current administration, what decisions are made, what is being said, and who is egregiously violating the Constitution. Their accompanying comments come across as a bitter obsession, and it's caused me to reflect on these three things:
1. Do these posts glorify God?
2. How do non-Believers view Jesus based on these bitter, complaining Facebook posts?
3. What does it say about the person who posted it?
I'll save questions 2 and 3 for another post. So on to question 1.
Do these posts glorify God?
Let's see what Peter has to say about believers' behavior in their daily lives.
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."(1 Peter 2:11-12, ESV)
When a Christ-follower says or writes emotional, derogatory things against the President of the United States, other elected officials, public figures (or any unbeliever for that matter), does it honor God? No. Does it bring reproach against Christ? Yes! Christ-followers are not called to judge unbelievers.
"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside." (1 Corinthians 5:12,13a, ESV)
Reason with them in person, debate them on issues in the public forum, love them enough to share the Gospel with them, but don't disparage them. Why? It puts you in the place of God (the only True Judge). And the last time I checked, everyone walking this planet, and even those posting on Facebook, are still just creatures.
I have a few friends on Facebook that are believers (as in Christ-followers). Some of them have a keen interest in the heartbeat of our country and are dismayed in the direction that it is heading, both morally, and politically. They frequently post complaints about the current administration, what decisions are made, what is being said, and who is egregiously violating the Constitution. Their accompanying comments come across as a bitter obsession, and it's caused me to reflect on these three things:
1. Do these posts glorify God?
2. How do non-Believers view Jesus based on these bitter, complaining Facebook posts?
3. What does it say about the person who posted it?
I'll save questions 2 and 3 for another post. So on to question 1.
Do these posts glorify God?
Let's see what Peter has to say about believers' behavior in their daily lives.
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."(1 Peter 2:11-12, ESV)
When a Christ-follower says or writes emotional, derogatory things against the President of the United States, other elected officials, public figures (or any unbeliever for that matter), does it honor God? No. Does it bring reproach against Christ? Yes! Christ-followers are not called to judge unbelievers.
"For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside." (1 Corinthians 5:12,13a, ESV)
Reason with them in person, debate them on issues in the public forum, love them enough to share the Gospel with them, but don't disparage them. Why? It puts you in the place of God (the only True Judge). And the last time I checked, everyone walking this planet, and even those posting on Facebook, are still just creatures.
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