Have you noticed how the internet is changing people?
Social media rudeness flourishes.
Those that appear to be friends take potshots at other friends. Bullying runs rampant. Hackers are prolific.
As great as the internet is for information, for sharing, for marketing, and even for connecting with others, it is the pits sometimes when connections turn sour.
Some people think that, because they hide behind a screen, they can be as rude, as mean, as disrespectful, as lewd, and as self-indulgent as they want. Since it is a convenient venue for attacking others, they think there are no repercussions. Therefore, no guilt. No shame. No caring about others.
Even common courtesy has taken a hit. Telling someone “thank you” has all but flown out the window.
And, yes, some Christians ride this wagon of unseemly behavior and perform a drive-by shooting…of the mouth!
This happens not only on the internet but also in our day-to-day interactions with others. These unpleasant folks wear a cloak of self-centeredness. I know you have encountered these people. They are ungracious to the core.
WHERE IS THE LOVE???
Our verse today is another in the list of love nots, tied on the ends with the two positive loves: “Love suffers long and is kind” (1 Cor. 13:4a NKJV) and “Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:8a NKJV)
The opening verse in the Voice version says of love, “It’s never rude, crude, or indecent—it’s not self-absorbed.”
In other words, this love not tells us love is not crude, rude, or with attitude. It’s not unseemly. Not unbecoming. Not improper. Not indecent. Not obscene. Not inappropriate. Not tasteless. Not ill-mannered.
And this real love does not seek its own. Does not aim at its own advantage. Does not think only of itself. Does not insist on its own way.
When others stone us verbally in person or socially on the internet, do we pray for them and forgive them? Do we as Christians wear the cloak of self-centeredness and hold a grudge or bitterness? Or do we “put on the character of Christ, like putting on new clothes”? (Gal. 3:27b NLT)
Paul tells us, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Col. 3:12-14 NLT)
As Christians, how do we respond to those who treat us badly? With grace and love? Or in the kind dealt to us? And do we treat others with grace and love?
***If you’ve missed the rest of the posts in the Love series, you can find them here:
*Love Suffers
*Envy, Envy, Thy Name is Poison!
*Do You Suffer from Perpereuomai or Phusioutai?
*Hooking up with…
Jennifer Dukes Lee
Holley Gerth
The Missional Call
3-D Lessons for Life
Equipping Godly Women
Sandra Heska King’s Still Saturdays
