I am about to unload what has my goat in a ditch recently. I am not quick to anger but what has been going on lately in the world is just starting to infuriate me.
Social media has become a place where people discuss anything in their lives---your family, friends, jobs, politics and so on. But in all of it, social media actually makes you less social. For the generations that are 30-50, Facebook is where individuals will spend their time discussing the things in their lives, and it would amaze you to see how much time people are actually spending on Facebook per day. For the younger generations, you can find Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat to be where the bulk of social media conversation takes place— and the same remains true for this age group as well.
Scripture is very clear that as the body of Christ, we are to help one another stay faithful to the teachings of Christ and to admonish one another (Colossians 3:16). So why is it so hard for believers to do this? I believe partly it is because love and gentleness aren’t being brought into the equation. Love that is “not resentful” is equivalent to God’s grace. God chooses to not keep score of our sin, and He provided Christ as a propitiation for our sins even though we deserve His wrath. Having been justified by our Faith (Romans 5:1) we are forgiven. We need to keep our focus on God, and even though we are sinners, He shows us love. This is how we need to be treating one another. Christ explains this clearly in Luke 6:27-28; ‘But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.’
Values = What you and I believe is important. Values sometimes must be prioritized. For example, exhibit freedom of expression or exhibit self-control? Insist on individual rights or practice individual responsibility? Utilize your freedom of speech or show love, compassion, and mercy? Sometimes, the lines get blurred concerning our values.
Chad and I walked the sweet couple to the door, and we all chattered over each other as we said our goodbyes and hugged and laughed. It was the end of a marriage counseling session. The four of us had been sitting in our living room, huddled together on couches that had been used as gymnastics equipment by our seven-year-old daughter earlier that afternoon. We talked about important things, about Jesus things, about the joys and hardships that come with marriage and life, and about how through it all the Lord sustains and He gives grace and He offers truth that runs counter to all the world’s advice.
213 E. Main St.
PO Box 577
Olney, Texas 76374
Phone: (940) 564-5558
Fax: (940) 564-3992