How do we, as Christian men, live in a fallen world that attacks us for even suggesting that there's anything wrong with the manner in which the lost are living their lives? For merely offering up the thought that homosexuality is wrong, we are labeled bigots and hatemongers.
I have some liberal former classmates on my Facebook friend list, and I have to say...I've given heavy thought to removing them just so that I don't have to be subjected to their "fairness" propaganda, which usually ends up with me defending the God who spoke this universe into existence. It would sure be a lot easier if I didn't have to constantly defend the concept of righteousness to a world that is so thoroughly saturated in their depravity that they don't even realize they have a problem.
But is that the Christian thing to do? Just isolate myself in a little holy bubble? Surround myself with likeminded yes-men who believe as I do?
Jonah ran away from Ninevah because he knew God would have mercy on them once they turned from their wickedness. I feel like the "Ninevah's" in my sphere are more like hopeless causes who would never repent to begin with.
How did Jeremiah do it? How did he persist year after year, seemingly gaining nothing for his troubles but ridicule? How do you do it? I would particularly like to hear from Will Howlett on this issue.
First off, I'd like to say that when the world reacts against spiritual messages - that makes sense. 1 Cor. 2:14 states this explicitly. Unless the spirit of God is leading someone into spiritual understanding and awareness, then they aren't going to get it. And you know what people do when they don't get something that you do get? They don't agree. That shouldn't stop our message, but we can see why the world is against it. Keep speaking the truth, which is God's way, which is reality. I'm amazed by the attitude and faith of the apostles in Acts 5:41 when they rejoiced that they would have the privilege to be counted worthy of receiving disgrace for the name of Christ. They considered it an honor to participate in His suffering. To me, that's inspiring. I believe there is an eternal, heavenly reward for that kind of faithful obedience. To the world, that's just plain stupid.
ReplyDeleteTo the statement - Keep speaking the truth - I wanted to add: Keep sowing the seed. Some of it falls on good soil.
ReplyDeleteI'll get Will started.
ReplyDeleteWill said...
I think there's 2 issues here that you have to consider:
1. The Medium - What is your purpose for being on FB. This may sound strange, but some people have no desire to discuss anything on FB. They just want to post stuff they are excited about, into, concerned about, or whatever. The invention of a comment button invites the free exchange of ideas. You have to decide if you are comfortable exchanging these ideas with your peers in a public forum for eyes to see, then by all means, go for it!
2. The Method - Many times our goal when confronted with a worldview that is in direct opposition with what is revealed through Scripture is: We want to lay out reasons A, B and Cwhy this view is wrong. Our goal should be for the discussion to be redemptive. This goes to your...
I don't think there is anything wrong with removing people from Facebook. Some people take it the wrong way but those people are usually childish (or still stuck in the high school mentality you last knew them in). I've taken a lot of people off of mine in the past few months and had people do the same to me when they don't agree with my views or appreciate the stuff that I post on there (I had one girl I went to high school with basically attack me personally and then delete me). I resign myself to the fact that it's okay because I would much rather have an open and honest discussion with them in person and if I can't have that, then why force it over the internet? There's always the option to "hide" their updates too if you'd still like to keep them as "friends."
ReplyDelete