I take a lot of pride in my Twitter page.
I kind of care about my Instagram page, but I am a huge Twitter fan. I love the informational base that Twitter has, meaning, I would rather see what the world has to say rather than what the world looks like. As a future pastor, current Bible-thumping college athlete, and “senior adult” type, Twitter is how I really stay in touch with the culture— the culture I am consequently finding myself farther away from, it seems, as the days and weeks go by. I’m essentially a tech-savvy Baby Boomer. I love coffee, conservatism, going to bed early, getting up early, family, being busy, and throwing my opinion at everyone, whether or not they ask for it (they usually don’t). I’m your classic old man.
Anyway, I take my Twitter page very seriously. Why? It’s a “direct” reflection of me as a person. I’ve always found it to be a bit of a challenge to really hone in on what I want you to see on my page. I’m a firm believer that your social media is a firm reflection of your character, your spiritual maturity, and your message to the world. I 100% stand by the notion that everything we like, retweet, post, favorite, endorse, comment on, etc. is a picture of who we are as a person. If you would love to debate that with me, then let me know. But I won’t budge on that. It’s your electronic memoir, in a way.
So, let’s all do ourselves a favor and stop with all the Bible Verses.
“What did he just say?”
Do you know why I retweet things about Christian Rap music? I’m a total mega-fan and mega-nerd of the genre. That’s why. Do you want to know why I favorite things about the Oregon Ducks? I do that because I’ve been a fan of them for over a decade now. I endorse what I like. I like what I endorse. Plain and simple. I like to view my social media as a one-stop shop into what being Cooper Short is like. But I’m always very hesitant about my spiritual content on my pages. Let me explain why.
I personally believe (and I find this to be based on Biblical truth) that the most crucial asset to a Christian is their witness. When I meet a person and find out they identify with the Church, I immediately being to examine them— their fruit. Seems judgemental, doesn’t it? You meet a person and you just go to picking their life apart. But here’s the thing— I’m supposed to do that. Luke 17:3 speaks to this point, so does Proverbs 27:17, Galatians 6:1-2, and plenty of others. If we are “siblings” in Christ, then we are supposed to hold one another accountable. That’s our role for one another. I’m hesitant about what things spiritual I post. I’m apprehensive because I always sit and wonder if my life is going to reflect whatever I’m going to put out there. It doesn’t always. Is someone going to read this verse I post and think, “Wow, never seen him act like that before…”? If I write these blogs, is someone going to read them and think that my lifestyle doesn’t reflect what I claim to believe in on here? I don’t know. I hope not. But I’m not so confident.
Here’s what I do know, though: God doesn’t like bandwagon fans.
If you’re going to call yourself a Christian, we ought not to call you one because your page is littered with, “rt if you love God,” and, “Blessed beyond measure.” Anyone, especially in the South, can post something with Jesus in it or Jeremiah 29:11, and no one will bat an eye. It’s not impressive, different, useful, or meaningful to place markers in your life and on your profile(s) that virtue signal that you think Christianity is cool. That’s not the Gospel. Jesus Christ died on a Cross for something He literally did not deserve. He doesn’t want a Snapchat story of a sunset. He wants you to be blameless, loving, and fruitful.
And many of you will say to me, “Lord, Lord! Did we not prophesy in your name and do many mighty works in your name and cast out demons in your name?” And I will say, “I have no idea who you are. Get away from me, you sinners.” — Jesus, Matthew 7, Cooper’s paraphrase from the ESV.
If you’re a Christian, you ought to have Jesus on your Twitter. I do.
But Jesus ought to have your name on His list if you’re going to act like you know Him. Complete your Christian “to do” list. Go ahead. Walk as many old ladies across the street as you can. Retweet as many daily Bible verses as you can. It’s all vanity if your salvation is not secure with Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
If you aren’t going to act like Him in public, don’t talk about Him in private. The internet is not a platform to relay a false message about where your salvation is. And here’s the bottom line: putting some verse in your bio and slamming alcohol on the weekends is helping literally zero people out.
Know Christ. Reflect Christ.
–@CShort_116
Caffeinated Christianity 