July 12, 2018

Would You Say It To Jesus?

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

– Romans 12:18

Do you get upset when someone who doesn’t share your political views? Do you get angry with a co-worker who disagrees with your proposal? Are you furious when your spouse nixes a trip, a purchase, or something else you wanted?

I am amazed by the rhetoric that sometimes comes with a disagreement. It’s not about opinions. We’re all unique individuals. Of course, we aren’t going to see things the same way.

I am astounded at the seriousness of those disagreements, the hatred and ugliness that sometimes comes when people don’t agree. Whatever happened to civil discussions? Why can’t we just agree to disagree, as the saying goes, and focus on what’s important?

As Christians, we are destroying ourselves from within with our pettiness and ugliness. Unfortunately, the people leading this charge “in the name of Jesus” don’t have a clue to the damage they’re inflicting. They’re so focused on being “right” that they’re missing Jesus’ call on all our lives. Much like the Pharisees did, I might add.

I don’t care if you’re a Republican or a Democrat. It really doesn’t matter if you think highly of President Trump or you don’t. I don’t need you to agree with my choice of music, how a pastor does communion or even if we should gather on Sunday nights or not.

What does matter? Do you love Jesus? Do you love others as He commanded? Do you welcome all, regardless of the baggage they might carry? Do you give with an open heart and an open hand?

We sometimes get so focused on our own opinions, our own agendas, our own pride and arrogance that we miss what’s truly important. We tell ourselves that it’s all about Jesus but in reality it’s all about us. We think we know more than anyone else. We push people away from Jesus all the while claiming that we’re the way and the truth.

Did you catch that last sentence? It’s not a typo. It’s not a wrong word choice. I meant to write “we’re” instead of “He’s” the way. Do you know why? Because sometimes we’re so busy proclaiming our own opinions that we lose our way. It becomes about us and not about Him.

Why do we need to be “right”? Why do we get defensive when someone disagrees with us? Why do we take it personally? Why is our ego so attached to another person’s opinion? God’s opinion is the only opinion that really matters.

So many questions. I know. But I really want you to think about your words and actions. It’s not about your right to your own opinion. It’s about Jesus’ right to control what we say and do. It’s about living for Him instead of living for ourselves.

The next time you bristle at someone who disagrees with you, think about Jesus. The next time you are tempted to blast someone for their opinion, imagine Jesus standing before you. Would you say those words to Him? Would you throw out accusations, bring up past hurts, or tell Him that He’s stupid for believing something different? Then, don’t say it to the person disagreeing with you.

January 29, 2018

Measure Your Words With Care

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephesians 4:29

I live in a football crazy state. Friends joke that the first question they were asked when they moved here was “Which church do you belong to?” The second was “Which team do you cheer for?”

There is at times a bitter divide, causing some to get carried away with their allegiance. The hatred can seem so real at times.

One friend, a dear man whom I’ve known for years, supports “his” team with a vengeance. I have grown increasingly appalled at the comments he makes about the opposing team. It’s not enough to support “his” team. He must constantly bash the other team and speak awful things about that team’s supporters.

And when he is done, he turns around and posts things like “God is good!” Excuse me? I’m sure he has no idea how he trashes his own witness for Jesus by the hatred he shares in other posts.

Isn’t that the case for all of us? We’ve become so accustomed to simply saying whatever we think or feel in the moment. Facebook provides a wonderful outlet for bashing without any of the face-to-face consequences we might get if we spoke those words in an actual conversation.

It’s my opinion you might be saying right now. Absolutely. You have the right to express your opinion in any nonviolent way you choose. But it’s important to realize that your words have consequences, whether you feel them or not.

The same is true of the political comments made by so many. I have come so close to unfriending people because of their nastiness. I don’t care if someone disagrees with my views. So what? It’s the ugliness and hatred that bothers me, especially when that person is also claiming to follow Jesus.

Jesus talked so much about love. Why do we so easily forget that? Why don’t we care that words can never be recovered, never be erased, never be forgotten?

I’ve tried to measure my Facebook words with care. I share scripture and biblical commentary. And I share a great many lost and found dog posts. What I intentionally try not to share is hatred. Don’t we have enough of that in our world?

I know some of my friends would claim to be promoting God’s agenda. They view themselves as followers standing up to those who would oppose “our” values. Except “our” values rarely line up with the Bible. Why are we so blind to that?

We have become a know-it-all people who rarely seek God’s wisdom. We pray for His blessings on our own agendas. We spew hatred in His name, rather than loving people and promoting what is good and right.

The next time you decide to share something, whether it’s your own words or another post, think about how it will be received by nonbelievers or those struggling with their faith. Does it build people up? Will it benefit God’s kingdom? Are the words spoken in love? If the answer is no, then don’t post it.

When in doubt, remember this: “Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some person ever reads.” Well said, William J. Toms. Well said.