Facebook Friends - Part 3 of 3
Here I am at Part 3, addressing possibly the most difficult question of the three. Difficult, not because of lack of clarity in the scriptures concerning the subject, but difficult because I may alienate some that I desire to maintain friendships with. But am I a true friend if I don't speak the truth when I see error?
"Better is open rebuke
Like others, I inherently want to be liked by those I not only hold close to me, but also to those I wish to associate with. Speaking the truth (in love), when it rebukes another, can be difficult. I imagine that is a fault of mine. A purely selfish fault that gains strength through my worldly weaknesses. Why? Because I want to be liked by others. God help me cling to Proverbs 27:5-6.
In today's fellowship of believers, at least where I live, it is rare for one to confront a fellow believer when that person is behaving in a way contrary to the teachings of Christ. Is it because sin has entangled us as well? If so, the power of conviction pierces our conscience because of our own hypocrisy. If it does, the power to speak is nullified in us and we become like salt that has lost its savor. Jesus said:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. (Matthew 5:13, ESV)
Conviction. Anyway, on to the question:
What does it say about the person who posted it?
Before I dive into answering the question, let's consider this:
"Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:4-6, ESV)
And this:
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth." (1 Corinthians 13:4-6, ESV)
So now on to answering the question. Scripture's words are far better than mine, so here it is:
If you claim to be a Christ-follower, take an honest appraisal of yourself. Are you consumed with anger, resentfulness and bitterness when it comes to the state of the country and/or the world? If you are, run to this verse and don't leave until you are ready to pass the test:
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Here I am at Part 3, addressing possibly the most difficult question of the three. Difficult, not because of lack of clarity in the scriptures concerning the subject, but difficult because I may alienate some that I desire to maintain friendships with. But am I a true friend if I don't speak the truth when I see error?
"Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy." (Proverbs 27:5-6, ESV)
Like others, I inherently want to be liked by those I not only hold close to me, but also to those I wish to associate with. Speaking the truth (in love), when it rebukes another, can be difficult. I imagine that is a fault of mine. A purely selfish fault that gains strength through my worldly weaknesses. Why? Because I want to be liked by others. God help me cling to Proverbs 27:5-6.
In today's fellowship of believers, at least where I live, it is rare for one to confront a fellow believer when that person is behaving in a way contrary to the teachings of Christ. Is it because sin has entangled us as well? If so, the power of conviction pierces our conscience because of our own hypocrisy. If it does, the power to speak is nullified in us and we become like salt that has lost its savor. Jesus said:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. (Matthew 5:13, ESV)
Conviction. Anyway, on to the question:
What does it say about the person who posted it?
Before I dive into answering the question, let's consider this:
"Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." (1 John 2:4-6, ESV)
And this:
"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32, ESV)
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth." (1 Corinthians 13:4-6, ESV)
So now on to answering the question. Scripture's words are far better than mine, so here it is:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-25, ESV)
If you claim to be a Christ-follower, take an honest appraisal of yourself. Are you consumed with anger, resentfulness and bitterness when it comes to the state of the country and/or the world? If you are, run to this verse and don't leave until you are ready to pass the test:
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
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