The night before last (Tuesday) I dedicated
two hours to systematically going through my Facebook friends list with one
specific question in view: what are my fellow church members posting
regarding current events? Why? Curiosity and to be informed.
I found many good things, and for that, I
thank God.
However, I must say, it was, to say the
very least, and all too very often - by no means an edifying exercise. I would
certainly not recommend this exercise to the faint of heart and I would warn
the depressed or doubting to not do anything like it. And, given the dates of
posting, it was apparent that such matters have only increased in darkness and
intensity over the past several weeks as a national election date draws ever
closer.
It was as if I was witnessing points of
light being dimmed, or even completely overcome, by darkness. (sigh)
As I scrolled and read, five passages of
Scripture kept popping up in my mind, firing off like popcorn. What were those
passages? Here they are (with my own application points inserted in all CAPS,
within brackets).
Our Lord Jesus said ...
1.
"I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for
every careless word you utter [VIA SHARING ON SOCIAL MEDIA]." (Matthew
12.36)
An apostle of our Savior said ...
2.
"[POSTING] Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes [ON SOCIAL
MEDIA] — these are not for you." (Ephesians 5.4)
3.
"Let your [SOCIAL MEDIA] conversation be always full of grace ..." (Colossians
4.6a)
An unknown preacher, inspired by the Holy
Spirit said ...
4.
"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone [ON SOCIAL MEDIA] and to
be holy, for without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12.14)
And our Lord Jesus' half-brother said ...
5.
"With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse
the very men and women he made in his image [VIA SOCIAL MEDIA]. Curses and
blessings out of the same mouth! My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t
gush fresh water one day [OR POST] and brackish the next, does it?" (James
3.9-11)
And so ...
Let us re-dedicate our tongues and typing
fingers to the Lord, my brothers and sisters. May we do that by re-dedicating
our heart to him in repentance and profession of faith. Daily.
And may we never forget that along with our
God who knows even the motives unknown to us that help give rise to our
thoughts, feelings, words, and ways, a world full of people, yet to believe,
are also closely watching us and reading us, along with brothers and sisters of
greatly varying degrees of strength, burden, understanding, and maturity.
Let us not stumble, and let us not
unwittingly lead others to do the same, or worse. Rather, may we be an example
of humility and godliness not only to fellow all believers, but to all who are
yet to believe.
Deliver us from evil, Lord. Grant us, by
your grace, to rise to this occasion, reflecting your light, and by no means,
or media, adding to this world's darkness. Amen.
Grace and PEACE, my fellow sheep.
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