Recently I found myself sucked into a comment section on Facebook. Train wreck, right?! You just can’t look away. Guilty as charged. Anyway, much like the meme of Michael Jackson eating popcorn in the movie theatre, so too was I glued to the commentary. Yet as I read on it started to effect me like it typically does; it saddened me.
Usually somewhere in the mix of social media arguments today you’ll spot common comments about the presidency, words thrown around like “hypocrite,” and there’s always somebody eager to carry the gavel and judge someone else’s level of Christianity. Whatever that is.
“That’s not what Jesus would do!”
Or my favorite, “so you call yourself a Christian?”
We all become apparent experts in what God would say about the subject at hand, and we’re quick to make snap judgements on not only the other person’s character, but also their walk with the Lord. Because apparently what kind of Christian you are is entirely based on what blurts out of your typing fingertips in anger.
First off, this isn’t a judging post. Lol. Anytime I write a blog on the subject of judging, a kind citizen is quick to say, “hey, you’re judging that person for judging,” and by the end we’re all scratching our heads in a “do what” gesture. I’m not saying what anyone else should do. I’m gonna share what I try to do because as always I’m a work in progress.
How we appear in the social media world as Christians is a big deal. I won’t lessen that fact. We’re to be salt of the earth, and we’re to shine the Lord’s light in a special way that draws others in, not push them away. So, yes, I think it’s important to do your best to be a good example to others, to treat others with grace and kindness, and my particular favorite, to run it all through a filter of love. I try to take every thought captive and run it through the love filter before it comes out. I’m not perfect at that, though, and I’m sure I’ve blogged a thing or two that lacked compassion in a WWJD kinda way.
But here’s the thing. I’m human, and I’m trying. That’s how it is with all of us, or most of us. So many of us who bare the title Christian are imperfect people. Loving Jesus doesn’t make us without fault. We still get hurt, angry, offended, and say or do things without thinking. Yet we are saved by grace. All Christians have that in common, but it’s not a trait we practice as much as it’s given by God, and it’s certainly not one extended to us on social media platforms. Shouldn’t it be, though?
If you post something inappropriate does that mean you don’t love the Lord? Of course not, and it’s not my place to try and guess the inner workings of your heart. So while I’m at a place in my walk with Jesus where I might think twice before posting inappropriate content for all to see, that doesn’t mean I expect everyone to adhere to the standards God has given me. We’re all on a journey, and the only one who knows where you’re at along the way, or even your final destination is God Himself.
If you fall into the trap of pointless bickering on Facebook that doesn’t imply anything of note about your relationship with Jesus. It may not be what some would do, or what I would do, but I’m not you. And you’re not me. I have my own shortcomings, as we all do, and perhaps it’s best to remove the plank from our own eye before pointing out the sawdust in someone else’s.
So, yeah, I think Christians have a responsibility to uphold the character of Christ and the sterling reputation of our Heavenly Father, but sometimes we will fail. And nothing burns my biscuits more than the people who wait in the bushes for someone titled “Christian” to say something or do something less than perfect. It’s like, oh my gosh, that Christian just put someone else down so let’s stone the entire institution of Christianity. After all, they’re all hypocrites. But does one apple really ruin the barrel. Apparently so.
I know I’m imperfect. I know I mess up. So you won’t see me judging someone else when they do. You won’t see me get into a shouting match (via typed text) over who is the worst person around. I think we’re all pretty crappy! But God loves us anyway. That’s what Christianity is. It’s not about “hey, I’m perfect. Watch me and emulate that.” It’s an invitation that goes like this.
As a Christian I say, “hey, I’m really messed up. I’ve done some awful things in the past. I asked for forgiveness and now I try really, really hard to not foul it all up. But sometimes I do. We may disagree on stuff, but I still love you. Wanna come over and hang out in my Dad’s house? No judgement here.”
Pat Sweeney-Pakiz says
I love your blog. We all could be gratified by hanging out in Dad’s house.
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you.
Dave says
By their fruit you shall know them! And the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control! And there is no law against such things! Are we all perfect at displaying all the fruit all the time! No and double no but I do believe people who wear the christian badge should ask the Lord to help them display this fruit and if we fail then try our best to make good on it! I think the good Lord knows our hearts when we truly want to please Him but fail but He expects us to grow and overcome! I have seen some christians who have just about reached that place to where their tree is bearing a whole lot of the fruit of the spirit and when they do have a bad moment and say or do something out of place they don’t let too much time go by before they correct the offense with the Lord and the offended! I think we could win so many more people to the Lord if we just try to bear good fruit as I see some christians who seem to take pride in the bad fruit they bear or maybe they feel justified in what they say and do! Maybe I’m wrong in all these statements but it’s the way I read it in the bible & the way I was brought up!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
I completely agree with you! One of my main goals in life is to represent my Father well. I fall short on occasion, but I try my hardest.
Lisa Pierce says
We’re all guilty as sin (pun intended) and I think we’re all to quick to judge sometimes. But we have only one judge and thankfully He is a forgiving Father!
I have caught myself many times thinking ‘I thought he/she was a Christian’ then realize, like you said, we’re not perfect. I do believe that some people don’t stop to think that what they post should be in accordance with where the heart is in respect to WWJD.
Great post! Thanks for sharing!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
Thank you so much!