I love a good theological discussion, even if it gets a little heated, but I hate to fight…especially on social media.
There are a few people who now know that my posts are going to talk about the goodness of God, the evil of abortion, and promote a Christian worldview. I am not sure they have ever read the posts I put up, they just see the title and picture on Facebook. And then begin the “gotcha” memes:
Then there was this one: “Like he helped those at Auchwitz? Oh wait, he slept thru that one”..
There are some real questions that we all have behind some of these posts. What I’ve discovered is the people who post these do not want answers, they want all Christians to be silent or dead. Their hatred is chilling.
Sometimes I respond to these heretics and hope to spark something that points them to the Truth of the Bible. These (above) just made me weary of the battle. I have remained silent on these so far. Does God need me to defend Him? I think not. This type of post brings to mind the verse that tells us not to cast our pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6). I am not going to convince them any faster than they are going to change my mind.
They scoff at the power of the Holy Spirit to give us faith and confidence in God.
As I look at the life of someone like the Apostle Paul, I think maybe I am wrong to be silent or just remove the posts. He was bold and set an example of boldness, usually face to face with the people opposing him. His faith strengthened his boldness even when he was in prison.
Eph 3:11-13, This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
1Thessalonians 2:2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
When I think of boldness other words come flooding to my mind, things like confidence and discernment, wisdom and judging righteously. I am confident that God’s Word is truth and is good for “teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Using it to teach other Christians seems wise as it is the Word of God which, when known and obeyed, brings blessing (Luke 11:28).
There are many people in our church, and that we know through other sources, who are so bold and faithful to give the gospel, many of them at abortion mills as they plead with mothers (and sometimes fathers) not to kill their babies. These are people whose emotions are already on edge because most of them know what they are about to do. Many fights (rather than just arguments) ensue. It is truly the front lines of battle for some.
Their courage to go out there face to face to fight this war against abortion (which is child sacrifice of our day) is admirable. It is bold.
As they report their interactions with women headed into kill their baby, it is astonishing how many tell them they are Christians. Their fear of man (people finding out they are pregnant) and the fear of some kind of financial hardship is the rationalization behind being willing to commit murder of their own child.
In God’s grace, He will forgive a repentant sinner. But, is that mother the only one? Though I am rarely on the front lines at the abortion mill, I have no excuse to offer any Christian woman I teach or even just talk to, thinking that God will not severely judge the parents who make excuses for taking a life made in the image of God.
So, the unholy argument on social media for the Christian is a battle we have to be discerning about when to fight. But, let’s not forget that we have a greater responsibility before God to teach those inside the church as we do those who, without knowledge, want to beat us up with words on social media.
The Church of Jesus Christ is just as valid a place to have good theological arguments. Ready?
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1Peter 4:17
