“There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” James 4:12
Reflect
I don’t know about you, but lately my Facebook feed has been filled to the brim with debates on vaccinations. As Christians, we must be aware of how our response to such things in perceived by the watching world.
We are called to share the truth in love. We must call out heresy and any distortion of the Gospel we see. But when it comes to preference issues, such as vaccinating versus not vaccinating, homeschooling versus not homeschooling, breast feeding versus not breast feeding and the like, we have to remember some of our brothers and sisters may not agree, but this does not make them any less of a Christian.
When someone posts an article about how they don’t think a true Christian could put their kids into public school, they’re making up a law God never made and in turn calling their fellow believers, unbelievers. They leave people they’re called to love hurt and feeling like an outcast.
Our opinions on issues not stated clearly in Scripture are not law. These things are a matter of obedience, not one choice is God-honoring and the other isn’t. We are called to be obedient in the option God leads us to. If that means you homeschool, that’s great! If it means you send your kiddos to public school, that’s equally as awesome! We need to hold loosely our opinions that aren’t found in the commandments in Scripture. They are just that: man’s opinion.
Friends, what do you suppose the dying world thinks as they see us hatefully quarreling with fellow believers? It surely isn’t, “Wow. Those Christians really take seriously the one-another commands!”
We are called to love one another, be kind to one another, and bear each other’s burdens, not add to them. Why? So that those who don’t believe “may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).
Can we do that while we curse our brothers and sisters in Christ on social media? Do they see Christ in our harsh words toward those who differ in opinion? No. What they see are Christians claiming to be redeemed but showing little evidence of it.
And it must stop.
Pray
Father, help us to hold loosely to our opinions that aren’t clear in scripture. May we honor You and each other as we interact and converse about these things. May the unsaved world be amazed at how we love each other and in turn be drawn near to Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Your Turn
How can you grow in mindfulness regarding what you post and engage in on social media?
