While our three sons were living under our roof there were five words that struck fear in their hearts.

“Time for a family conference”. 

I suspect they felt I was being punitive when I called for a conference. The truth is I was pursuing protective love and not punishment. Protective love sees a dynamic that is hurting someone in the family and when one in the family is hurting all of us are hurting. 

When I see the current dynamics of my universal Christian family I wish I could call a Jesus family conference with a heart of protective love. I see social media posts from friends who identify with Jesus that question the faith of those who disagree with them on social or political issues. That action dims the light of our witness for Christ and gives non-believers ammunition to dismiss our testimony.

I recently read a social media comment about a person who posted something that they disagreed with.

“How can they call themselves a Christian if they think that way?”

I have a couple of thoughts about how that person might call themselves a Christian.

1. Maybe they believe that Jesus died on the Cross for their sins, rose from the dead, and then provided a path of forgiveness and salvation. That is how I call myself a Christian even on my bad days.
2. Maybe they are still in the process of spiritual growth and with loving discipleship they might begin to see your point of view (if you are correct). That can be a two-way street. I have changed my heart on a lot of issues since I began my journey over 50 years ago.

So could that person who drew the judgement be wrong about their political or social beliefs?
Yep.

Could the social media judges be wrong?
Yep.

Paul talked about the damage done when we condemn other followers of Jesus.

“So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. ¹¹ For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
    and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”

¹² Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. ¹³ So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.”
(Romans 14:10-13, NLT)

There is no condemnation in Christ. I totally understand that there are cultural and political trends that dismay followers of Jesus. I support standing up for Scriptural truth. But I am convicted more than ever that the only way to have an impact is to communicate that truth in love and grace. I believe our priority should be to spread the love and light and hope of the Good News of the Gospel.

I already know the push back from some readers. They remind me that Jesus got angry and even destructive when he overturned the tables in the Temple. Fair point. So I have compiled a brief survey to complete. Please check each statement that is true about you.

_____ I have never sinned.

_____ I know with 100 per cent accuracy the heart and motives of those I disagree with.

If you can check both of those statements then I will happily grant you the “Jesus Exemption”. For the rest of us I would suggest that we concentrate more on following the words of Jesus.

“Do to others as you would like them to do to you. If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that?” (Luke 6:31)

Might I remind you that Jesus was constantly triggered by religious people (hypocrites) who did not live what they demanded from others.

The early church had no chance to “win” the culture war. Instead they built a community of believers that infiltrated the culture with loving service.

Truth communicated as law will harden hearts. Truth communicated with grace and love has a chance to soften and change them. I have never witnessed one single example of a person persuaded by a Facebook rant. I have seen hundreds hardened in their beliefs (right or wrong) by those tactics. 

Change happens when God’s love breaks through the hurt and confusion of the past and shows the future hope of grace and forgiveness. I will buy you coffee if you can show when a positive change of heart happened by being harangued and called names. Spiritual change happens when the gentle and quiet voice of the Spirit touches a wounded heart. So my plea to my fellow followers of Jesus is to realize you represent Him when you proclaim your truths in the name of Jesus. If you are representing Jesus you have this standard to follow.

God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

And I might call in Paul for backup at my family conference.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29)

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. (Colossians 4:6)

I know how easy it is to get riled up with social media threads but is name calling a way to represent the love of Jesus? Remember who you represent and respond accordingly. Scripture makes it clear.

A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 6:45)

All followers of Jesus need to prayerfully examine our hearts before we hit send.