I am going to hell. Or at least that is what one of the many "Click n Share" Facebook Jesus' informed me this morning would happen if I did not pass it on.
For the last several days my Facebook newsfeed has been inundated with tacky representations of Christ with even tackier messages attached to them. The guilty one of this morning read "Whoever is ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of in front of My Father. Will I be ashamed of you? If not, pass this on" In reading this I heard "Pass this on, or you will go to hell you heathen."
After recovering from my initial offense at this absurdity, I began to ponder what I would call "Click n Share" theology.
This particular brand of theology seems to be ever increasing in popularity. This theological persuasion basically asserts that the definition of a good Christian is one who simply states "I Love Jesus, how about you?" and that is pretty much as deep as it goes.
A love for Jesus Christ and a living Christian faith is about a lot more than clicking and sharing. It requires sacrifice. It requires loving other people (which in itself is often a sacrifice). It requires living a life which in itself affirms one's love and devotion to Christ. Such devotion cannot be accomplished simply by "clicking n sharing". Insinuating ill consequences on those who choose not to click and share is itself far from an act of love.
It troubles me to know that in America today, "click n share theology" is the deepest many peoples Christian faith goes. Many Christians do not know nor have no desire to really share their faith. So instead, with the click of a mouse and a warm fuzzy feeling inside, they feel like their work for the Kingdom is complete.
As I read the Beattitudes this morning, as I try to do fairly often, I failed to see the one which reads "Blessed are those who share horribly inaccurate and horrifically cheesy pictures of me on Facebook. The Kingdom of God is theirs. Way to go!" No, instead, I found these words
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
"God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. (Matthew 5:3-12 NLT)
Now I ask you, does your own faith go deeper than clicking and sharing? This Easter season, I pray you may find God calling out to you to love the poor, work for peace, be filled with mercy, and growing in your faith in real ways.
And that, from my perspective, cannot be accomplished by clicking and sharing.
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