Posts Tagged ‘social media’

Technology over Community

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

This might help us better understand what our role in the lives of others is:

“We are a culture that relies on technology over community, a society in which spoken and written words are cheap, easy to come by and excessive. Our culture says anything goes; fear of God is almost unheard of. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry.” (Francis Chan- Crazy Love, p.25)

Is that what the Bible calls for? No, look at what James says about our communication with one another:

“…let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1.19-20)

Our Conduct

Look again at how you use your social media accounts. Are you bitter? Angry? Do you show the love of Christ even when you aren’t near other people? Christ called us to lives that are worthy of His calling (Luke 14.27; Eph. 4.1-3) are you living that?

Real Friends

So if we are supposed to live lives worthy of the calling of Christ, why don’t we? Do you think you don’t have time to show love? Are you too busy? Do you care?  Here are some ways to show that love of Christ and live according to the calling:

  • Instead of wishing someone a happy birthday on facebook, why not call them and see how their doing?
  • If you are arguing with one of your friends, don’t approach them on facebook; go out for coffee with them, work it out in the name of Christ.
  • Use your accounts for good! Send encouragements, don’t mock others on-line (or in person). Show the love of Christ to all.

Are there other ways to live lives worthy of the calling even while you’re on-line?

Tags: , ,
Posted in Social Media | 1 Comment »

It’s not official…

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

…until it’s on facebook.

I’ve heard this many times, especially when I began dating Emmalie last fall.

Driving home from school one day, I remembered that phrase and began to wonder about its veracity. Think about it: if our “relationship status” changed on-line but we never acted like a couple in person, would we be liars? If we acted like we were dating when we were around each other, but never changed that status, would people believe us?

Religious Views

Are you a “Christian” on facebook? What do you mean by that? If I proclaim that I believe in Christ, but never change my facebook status to reflect that belief, would you think less of me or call me an unbeliever?

We must be the same in real life as on-line. Are you? Does your blog, twitter, facebook, or myspace profess your belief in Christ while you daily neglect Him? Or are you professing belief daily in person but putting on a rude, judgmental, and “less than Christian” face on-line?

This shouldn’t be

We who profess belief in Christ must show it with what we do. We live in a social media oriented age, and since everyone can always see what we’re doing, we need to be intentional with our internet lives.

So if you blog, blog for Jesus; don’t waste our time with mindless ramblings; edify the body.

If you tweet, use your tweets for the glory of Christ. Proclaiming the Gospel is more important than telling us when you’re taking a shower.

If you’re on facebook or myspace: “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess. 5.22)- don’t make it look like you aren’t in Christ.

Revisiting

If you’re a  ”Christian” on-line but you never act like it in person you’re a hypocrite. If you act like a believer in person, but never show it by reforming your use of social media, should I believe you?

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Social Media | 1 Comment »