Sunday, June 22, 2014 - Titus 3:1-2

[Tek7]

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.

Titus 3:1-2, HCSB

I'm shamelessly stealing today's VotD from the notes I took during the sermon at my local church today.

Is our behavior both online and offline drawing people to Jesus or driving them away? Many Christians use Facebook and online forums to voice complaints about government, but are they really changing anyone's minds? More importantly, are they demonstrating the character of Christ, who reached out and showed compassion to sinners (including a women who was five times divorced and had a live-in lover) while still preaching against sin?

So before you type out our next rant, take a minute and read through these verses again. I don't write these words easily as I like to post rants just as much (if not more so) than the next person. There's a time to voice complaints and frustrations privately, but when we post online, we post most often in public spaces. Let's make every effort to ensure that what we post glorifies God.

 

[The Mighty Gerbil]

The problem is people speak not in an attempt to persuade or support a moral cause but from an emotional anger at perceived injustice. How many political videos are "Such and Such destroyed" as if I want to see people hurt. Some may make valid moral arguments but no dissenter is going to listen over the sound of one's own ego. While others are downright evil revolving their stance around "let's all laugh at the other side" and ignore reality. Videos like that are selling to those already on their side while alienating potential converts. It falls to the just to restrain one's emotions and present truth to the few that have conscience enough to listen. Even if what a person is doing is stupid by definition you must convince them, or more likely others following them, of their foolishness not just call them names. That is what immature children do.

Note: It is natural for people to look for validation in their beliefs. We try to lean only on God but it's pretty hard going against everyone. Just be careful in the desire for validation it doesn't turn to blind anger, though there is a time and place for righteous anger. /Random thought That is why a Biblically sound marriage is so important because you always have someone in your corner!