If we claim to love Him...

There it is. Again. Something posted on Facebook that makes it very difficult for me to keep my mouth shut (or rather, my fingers from typing). For those of you who really know me, I am probably one of the least confrontational people you will meet, especially on the Internet. I would much rather hash something out in person than online for everyone to see.

The posts that have been bothering me surprisingly aren't posts that you would normally think of. There are many things being posted lately that are highly important and good to read. Facebook is the new way, for many, of keeping up with current events (please don't let this be your only way); however, Facebook and other social media sites can be, as my husband calls it, poison. The posts I am talking about are posts coming from Christian friends. Posts that publicly belittle others or put us above others. Posts that complain about how crappy the customer service was at such-and-such place, or how if we had our way, we'd make sure so-and-so got what was coming to them. Posts that are near pornographic or covered in whatever other obscene material is out there. Posts that back up poor decisions of others. But then by looking at our Facebook page, or Instagram page, or Twitter page, people can tell we claim to follow Jesus. Is that confusing, or what?

Friends, something that God has been laying on my heart lately is that he has given us mercy so we can give others mercy. He has given us his Spirit that we may make more of Him and less of us by making decisions that reflect Him and what He's done in our lives. I believe that as followers of Jesus, we have been called to a high standard of loving others. (And I am speaking directly to Christians here; I realize we should all love one another and take care of each other, no matter our beliefs), but Jesus was love. He came to serve, love, call out our sin, and love more.

Please don't take this post judgmentally. I fail daily. I struggle immensely with wrestling control from other people in my life. I am the epitome of a control freak. I struggle with gossip and bitterness. I definitely struggle with getting angry at people (um, if you don't struggle with being irritated or angry or annoyed, you may not be human). But it's what we do with the anger, I guess is what I'm trying to say.

And sometimes it isn't even anger. It's petty arguments that, to me, belittle Jesus' death on the cross for us. In a past message that I heard (to be honest, I don't remember who said it, so feel free to tell me), it was said that Christ has already been crucified for us, so stop crucifying other people. It's done. Have grace. Have mercy on others. Easier said than done? Definitely. Again, I fail daily at this. But is it really that hard to stop and think before you post something about others? As Christians, people watch closely. Are we going to screw up? For sure. One of the biggest misconceptions about Christianity is that you're supposed to be perfect; you're not perfect, and you won't be until you're in heaven. BUT (big but)...it just seems to me that these posts I've been seeing are just...I don't know. Getting out of hand? Misrepresenting Christ? Dragging His name through the mud?

Christ's death on the cross was SO precious and I see so many things that I am so frustrated with (including things in myself). But the main thing lately is the hatred and ridiculous posts. Friends, we have enough negativity to read about on Facebook. If you follow Jesus, people need your (His) light. They need love and compassion. They need someone to look at and say, "Wow, I want whatever he/she has. I want Jesus, too."

Please think about what you're posting publicly. One of the best messages I remember from youth group is that we can't be on the fence. We can't afford to be on the fence, because the world is watching. Once we choose to follow Him and people know it, we represent Him. Terrifying? Yes. Does He give unending grace? Definitely.

Love others. Choose to give over whatever it is or whoever it is you'd like to post about, and just love.

#jesus #jesuslove #grace