LCG has a letter up to members regarding the use of social media and talking about
By Wyatt Ciesielka | Thursday, March 22, 2012
Social media services have become ubiquitous, and many Christians are asking whether, or how, to use them. “If I use social media, should I talk about my faith? If I do talk about my faith, what will my ‘friends’ think? If I don’t post about my faith, am I guilty of not ‘letting my light shine’ (Matthew 5:16)?” These are important questions! What are the benefits, and what are the consequences, of using social media?
Wyatt goes on to ask:
So who is Wyatt specifically referring to here as "Christians?" Your neighborhood Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopalian? According to the official mouthpiece for the Living Church of God, Bob Thiel, there are no REAL Christians outside of the LCG. Why didn't Wyatt refer to these Christians as "so-called" or "fake" as the official spokesman for LCG does? So who is Wyatt referring to here - LCG members, of course.So, if Christians choose to use social media, how should we use this technology? And what are the possible consequences?
Wyatt continues:
It's interesting that devout Christians in the "world" could care less if someone is offended at their talk about Jesus. They understand what he means to them and want to share that good news with others. Not that they do a good job of it, but the point is that they are unafraid to do it.However, this does not mean thatChristians[LCG] should proselytize, try to coerce uninterested social acquaintances or enter into foolish arguments (cf. 2 Timothy 2:14; 3:1-5). And while Christ expects our conduct, our words (and our posts) to be “honorable among your unbelieving neighbors” (1 Peter 2:12, NLT), we need to understand that Christianity has never been popular.
Yet, the Church of God has always been afraid. Even God's most mighty Apostle could not discuss
The problem with COG folk using social media for spreading their gospel revolves around the in-you- face attitude of so many in regards to law keeping. How long can you spit out that people are sabbath breakers, or unclean because they eat pork and shrimp? Or that that you must be keeping all the Jewish holidays and not the pagan, filthy, rotten, corrupt Christian days.
However, this does not mean that Christians should proselytize, try to coerce uninterested social acquaintances or enter into foolish arguments (cf. 2 Timothy 2:14; 3:1-5). And while Christ expects our conduct, our words (and our posts) to be “honorable among your unbelieving neighbors” (1 Peter 2:12, NLT), we need to understand that Christianity has never been popular.
Christianity or Armstrongism?
Grace? Grace??? How can speech be seasoned with grace when the topic is NEVER discussed without strict law keeping? Who is walking with whom? Apparently what Wyatt is specifically pointing out here is that your religious talk can only be with like minded LCGers since there are no REAL Christians outside of the LCG. So why waste your Christ talk on unconverted, low life, dirty, fake, so-called christians who's sorry asses are going to get fired in the lake of fire.As Jesus reminded His disciples: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Although Christians should avoid contentions and foolish arguments, and although we are commanded, “Let [our] speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6), we need to remember in all our public interactions the biblical principle, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” (Amos 3:3).