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Category: Self

  • Christ in the Center of How You Use Social Media

    Christ in the Center of How You Use Social Media

    By Paul Ntini

    Just like you, l am constantly finding myself browsing through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Recently I’ve begun to think about how l present myself on social media, especially as a follower of Christ. I’m not an expert but I will share what I found out.

    Consistent with the Word

    Ask yourself, “What am I sharing or posting or even saying on social media? Is it in-line with what I claim to believe?” (1 Timothy 4 verse 16). Stop and think how your post will make Jesus look? Being His representatives should cause us to reflect on how we speak and act. This includes what we say and do on Twitter and Facebook .We should look at scripture and analyse our lives closely.

    Listen and Understand

    Read your post once, and then again. What would you say if you were on the receiving end of it? When you are commenting or giving an opinion on a post, how would you take it? You need to listen to what is actually being said rather than what you think is being said. You need to think critically. Be quick to listen, slow to speak and to become angry, especially when you ‘think’ the post is about you (in most cases this is a false presumption).

    Do not post and just say whatever you want to say. Remember for every idle word we speak we will give an account on the day of judgement (Matthew 12:36, 37). Therefore examine your heart, because out of your heart, your mouth speaks (James 3). If your heart is ugly, you will say things you shouldn’t and it’s not something you can control (Despite why you think). Changing the heart starts with trusting in Christ and spending time daily in his word (James 1:23 – 24). It also means, in the spur of the moment, instead of responding in anger to a post, considering your own heart and deciding the best action. That may mean consulting other Christians or maybe… maybe you shouldn’t respond at all.

    Angry and Irritated? STOP

    Stop, stop, stop posting if you are angry or irritated, for where there is anger godlessness is always right there. “The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1 :20). Another option is to pray for yourself and the other person. We are called to be a family of believers (Ephesians 1:5), one that is attractive to non-believers (1 Peter 2:12). Anger only breaks down relationships. Instead, it makes sense to consider wisely ways of replacing your anger with ways that will encourage or build up others. Praying, and not posting can go a long way to strengthening a family or looking attractive. If you really feel you need to speak to the person, don’t do it over social media, and rather speak to the person face to face.

    Nowhere in the bible is ‘shaming in a public platform’ acceptable in any instant, so why do it? Attitude is the cornerstone of life, having a loving attitude is helping another person. It is important to remember that tearing someone down with words can stay in a person’s long term memory for many years. What’s worse on social media is that you cannot delete it and everyone can see it.

    Stirring the Pot

    Naturally we love controversy, because we are sinful. In our culture everything is one click away and everyone has an online platform of followers overflowing with opinions. Stay away from silly myths and old wives tales. Let us train ourselves to have nothing to do with godless conversations (1 Timothy 4 verse 7). Most controversies on social media have nothing to do with Christ. We should stop starting fights on social media, keep our mouths shut and spare ourselves a world of troubles.

    Promotion

    May we please promote Christ and his word on social media rather than ourselves? Have you thought about how it would actually look like if we all promoted Christ and his redeeming, amazing grace on social networks? We love to promote how happy we are and how amazing our lives are (which most of the time are lies anyway). We want more likes and more followers. If we are sincere in our walk with Christ, we should be making others want to follow Jesus in all of life. That includes social media.

    Remember, “All things were created for Him and by him “(Colossians 1 verse 16). We need to show people what Christ is doing with his creation that exalts him. Share upcoming events at your local church and what is happening in the life of the church. Share sermons with your friends, as well as what Christ is doing through his people. As believers our primary identity is in Christ and not in likes and followers. Our validation comes from the God not Instagram.

    Wisdom from the word

    “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:2)

    “For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, Let them even be taken in their pride, and for cursing and lying which they speak” (Psalm 59:12)

    “For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:3)
    “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers” (2 Timothy 2:14)
    “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths , but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs , that it may benefit those who listen“ (Ephesians 4 : 29)

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  • Worry – In the face of political turmoil

    Worry – In the face of political turmoil

    Worry. From butterflies in your stomach before an important meeting to the horrible, heart racing horror of a panic attack – we are all familiar with worry on some level. We live in a world that gives us plenty to worry about.

    Recent events in our country have sparked much anxiety. As we sit with friends at lunch, we speculate about the current economic and political climate. Those discussions cause many of us to worry about our future. As jobs are lost, interest rates climb and our country’s status downgrades – worry is an ever present emotion for many of us.

    In Christ, we know we have hope and eternal security – so why is it sometimes so difficult to feel that? How can we bring this knowledge to bear on our racing little hearts? What can I do to help me take Jesus at his word when He tells me not to worry?

    Turn away from the control

    We don’t control the universe. We don’t even control our own lives to a large extent. Often the worry we feel comes from a deceptive and deep seated conviction of that we are more in control that we really are. When worry hits, we need the sharp reminder God gave to Job: ““Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4) God goes on to remind Job (and us) that He set up the universe and controls every part of it. He always has and always will. God is in control, not us.

    Turn to God’s character

    Our comfort doesn’t just come from the knowledge that God is in control, it also comes from knowing what type of God is in control. God’s Word never lets you miss what he is like. He is described as “abounding in love” throughout the Bible. We are told that he works all things for our good (Romans 8:28). We are told that he knows what you need before you ask for it (Matthew 6:8). We are told that he is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).
    Make sure that the God in your head matches the God of the Bible – the Father who loves to care for his children. Don’t believe the lie that Adam and Eve fell for in the garden – the lie that God was holding from good from them. If we hold to God’s character, we remember that everything that comes our way is in the hands of God who has ordained it. He has not lost control or interest. He’s not messing with you for fun. He is actively working in all things to grow you and glorify himself.

    Turn to prayer

    “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6 – 7) God’s word gives us his remedy for worry: prayer. Sleepless nights are an opportunity to talk to your Father. Those anxious moments before an exam are an opportunity to talk to your Father. Politics and the economy are an opportunity to talk to your Father. Having access to our Father in heaven is a great privilege and joy. If worry and anxiety send me running to him more, then I’m deeply grateful for worry.

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  • How Should a Christian Respond to Racism?

    How Should a Christian Respond to Racism?

    [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]by Martin Morrison.

    We do need to talk about it.

    The topic is obviously very sensitive at present in South Africa. (When I use the word Black it includes Indians and Coloureds who equally suffered under apartheid).

    The Heart Issue

    Racism has been bubbling in South Africa for the last couple of years culminating in an explosion at the beginning of 2016.
    Penny Sparrow, Justin Van Vuuren, Velaphi Khumalo – all have apologised, but I wonder whether what they said doesn’t reflect what they really think.

    We are all sinners, we are all racist – some are worse than others, but by and large we are all racist because we are all sinners. We all in one way or the other think our ”people” are superior to others. It’s across the world and in all our hearts. I need to start and say I’m a racist, I have racist thoughts from time-to-time and I need to repent. Unless we come to this point we will not be able to begin to deal with the problem.

    The Real Issue

    There have been millions of social media comments. Some people are trying to get 15 minutes of fame, others have been sucked into the tyranny of social media.
    In my opinion, speaking as a white Christian, underlying this recent outburst of anger is a deep seated anger and frustration of black people which says that white people don’t understand and don’t care about the dreadful injustices, suffering and inequalities of almost 400 years of racism and apartheid. It seems to me that black people quite rightly feel that after 21 years, whites just don’t get it.

    I totally agree with journalist Max du Preez: “Here’s the bottom line: we whites didn’t honour the pact we made with the rest of the nation in 1994. We only honoured those parts of our constitution that were in our interest”.

    I totally agree with journalist Justice Malala who is no respecter of persons: “Many whites ask: what do you want us to do? Actually nothing. Just don’t denigrate the pain, or try to make the good old days seem better than they were. They were worse than you can imagine”.

    The Real History

    It is wrong for me as a white man to say I understand the ravages of apartheid. I don’t. Take education. At times during the apartheid years R644 per annum was spent by the State per white child, but only R42 per black child. In 1950, most black children got 4 years of education with only 2.6% going to high school. Can you imagine what all that has done to our country? Some black children would only see their fathers once a year, because they stayed in the rural areas and their fathers worked in the cities. Families were prohibited from living with a husband or father because of the Group Areas Act. Can you imagine what that has done to marriages and family life in our country?

    The fact of the matter is that we lived in a parallel universe; two peoples in one country; two nations in one country. And by and large, us whites have never really understood those injustices and inequalities. By and large, we don’t get it and that’s why many black people are so angry when they are called “monkeys”.

    The Real Antidote

    This blog is for Christians. I cannot speak for non-Christians or expect them to act like Christians. The antidote is found in the Bible, it’s found in Christ, it’s found in facing the truth.

    Two principles:

    a) Why should Christians deal with race?

    Matthew 5: 13 – We are salt and light – some say that the church should not deal with politics. However, politics has to do with people, with society, with how we govern ourselves as a nation. The Bible is, and should be, deeply concerned with all of life. Jesus in Matthew 5 is talking to Christians, we are in the world, we are to be involved in the world, we are to make a difference in the world. We can never say these are not our concerns. Where there is darkness, we are meant to be the light, to dissipate the darkness. That’s why we need Christians to be Christians in every area of life – politics, education, business, the arts etc. Where there is exploitation, injustice, we need to stand up for the truth and justice.

    Salt in the times of Jesus was used to prevent things from putrefying. We are to prevent things from going bad. Be it in the classroom or the boardroom or the bedroom.

    Matthew 22: 34 – What is the greatest commandment – Love the Lord your God… and the second is like it, love your neighbour as yourself. We are to love our neighbour. In fact, Jesus commands us to love our enemies. That is a tough one. As Biblical Christians our fundamental job description to others is to love them.

    We can’t expect non-Christians to act like Christians, but as Christians we have a duty to love our neighbour. However, you can only love if you understand the life of your neighbour. We need to build relationships with our neighbour. Our neighbours are black, white, Indian, coloured, Chinese, Eritrean, Nigerian. I would think to love your neighbour you need to know who they are, find out their background, their struggles, their hopes and dreams. Learn from them, listen to them.

    b) What does the bible say about it?

    Gen 1: 26, 27 – God created man in his own image. Though we have different races, languages, people groups, we are all equally made in the image of God. Strictly speaking there is only one race, the human race. Though we have some ethnic, cultural differences, we are all descended from Adam and Eve – there is only one human race. This means when I see another person, my attitude ought not to be, that’s a coloured person, that’s a black person etc. No. What I need to say:

    • He’s created in the image of God, just like me.
    • He’s descended from Adam just like me.
    • He is a sinner just like me.
    • He needs a saviour, just like me

    If the other person is a Christian, what I need to say is:

    • She’s a sinner saved by grace, just like me
    • She’s a precious child of God, just like me
    • She’s a member of God’s family, just like me.

    Colossians 3:11. The church in Colossi had Jews, Greeks, circumcised, uncircumcised, barbarian Scythians, yet all of that was eclipsed by their unity in Christ, “but Christ is all and is in all”. In the church of Jesus Christ there ought to be no discrimination, as our primary identity is not whether we are married or single, doctor or teacher, black or white. No our primary identity and our primary unity is that whatever race or colour or language we are, we are all “in Christ”. Our ethnic, cultural differences are temporary, but our identity in Christ is permanent and eternal.

    Ephesians 2:14. Christ came to destroy the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile, black and white, Hutu and Tutsi, Serbs and Croats, Poles and Russians, Turks and Greeks.

    Only Christ can ultimately destroy the racial barriers, because only Christ can deal with the fallen human heart. You see, racism is ultimately a problem of the heart and only Christ can change our hearts.

    Some say, if only there were no blacks in SA we’d be fine. Others say, if only there were no whites in SA we’d be fine. Nonsense. It’s a problem of the heart. As Alexander Solzhenitzen was spot on: “If only it were as simple as there being good people and bad people. However, the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being”. We all need new hearts which only Christ can provide.

    Eph. 2:13. We were far away from God, we were far away from one another. Christ has brought us near to God and each other through his blood.

    Eph.2:14. The cross of Christ has destroyed the barrier of discrimination. The cross has broken the wall of hatred and hostility.

    Eph. 2:18. Because of the cross of Christ, Gentile and Jew; Black and white; Turk and Greek; Serb and Croat all have equal access to the Father by one Spirit.

    Revelation 7:9 – 10. In John’s vision of heaven, there will be people of every nation, tribe, people and language all in heaven because of the substitutionary death of Christ on the Cross. Our differences will be totally irrelevant as our combined focus will be on the Lamb seated on the throne. All one in Christ.

    Real Practical Suggestions

    This blog does not address the issues of land, capital, party politics or other such important matters. It is primarily speaking to Christians and how we ought to relate to one another in the body of Christ in this diverse country of South Africa.

    a) We all need to repent of our sin. Whites in particular need to repent of their racism, their indifference, their unconcern for the well-being of their black neighbours. Blacks need to repent of anger or hatred. We all need to repent of our grudges and prejudices.

    b) Whites in particular need to affirm in principle and in practise the fact that all people are made in the image of God and therefore have dignity, worth and eternal value.

    • Do you know whether your employees have kids, their ages, their names, their grades?
    • Do you know where your employees live, how long it takes for them to get to work?
    • Do you know whether your employees are Christians, have you shared the Gospel with them?

    c) Respect people of other races.

    • At least learn the greetings of people of other races with whom you work.
    • Learn the proper names of the people with whom you work. My name is Martin. I would prefer not to be called Martha or Moira. Surely I should show the same respect for other races in terms of their names.
    • Have you ever had a person of another race come for dinner at your home? Build relationships with people of other races by inviting them into your home.

    The Real End

    I agree with Ian von Memerty: “I am a recovering racist. I’ve been relatively clean for 30 years, but sometimes I slip up. When I do, I need to repent and remind myself that we are all made in the image of God and have intrinsic value, dignity and worth. I need to remind myself that we are all sinners. I need to remind myself that we all need a Saviour. Every day, as a white man, I need to take some small steps to bring healing and wholeness to our fractured, hurting world. Every day, I need to remind myself that without Christ, there is no ultimate answer to the injustices and suffering of our world. Without Christ, I am alienated from those around me and alienated from the God who created me.”

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