I Object To... By Nathan Battey

On a daily basis I am confronted with objectionable material through social media that comes through the channels of my “friends”.  Part of this is due to having many “friends” with whom I am merely acquaintances at best or even acquaintances through an acquaintance.  Whatever the case, the flood of inappropriate to downright sinful content that surfaces on a daily basis deserves a reply. 
 
If you object to my objections, make sure you object to me and not to God.  If you find them convicting, change your behavior or take a stand.  ​

1. I object to the torrent of hate, anger, and name-calling projected against the President of the United States, be it our current or former President. 

Though many Christians are aware that God commands them to “Honor the King” (1 Peter 2:17) they complain that such is too great a burden to bear.  I have even heard it argued that since he live in a democracy, rather than a monarchy, 1 Peter 2:17 does not apply to us.  By this logic I suppose early Christians could have also argued that since Rome was either a Republic or ruled by a Caesar rather than a king, that Peter’s words were meaningless to them as well!  

Somehow many not only ignore 1 Peter 2:17, but they also ignore 2 Peter 2:9-11:

• “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.”

 
If you find yourself tempted to ignore God’s clear commands to honor dignities, government, and the king, maybe you should distance yourself from the media that continually rails against our government.  It would be better to go to heaven having lived the life of a slave than to be cast into hell as a free citizen.
 
As a side note: I want to say thanks to Jonathan Bunner and all of his family as they have endured the separation cause by injustice without railing against the government.  May God grant them relief shortly and may we all learn from their example.

2. I object to the political involvement of many Christians. 

The previous objection to Christians speaking out against dignities is a direct result of becoming too involved in the governments of this world.  

Where in Scripture are Christians authorized to get involved in government and politics (Colossians 3:17)?  Though Christians are repeatedly commanded to submit to government and pay their taxes in Romans 13 (to which many Christians still object), they are never authorized to become part of government or cry out against it. Even if the government were to require Christians to violate God’s Word, Christians would still not be allowed to rail against government as the stood true to God’s Word (Acts 5:29). 

If Christians across the world behaved the same way many do in America, they would find themselves in prison or worse.  Should our religious freedom ever be taken away, I fear greatly for how the government would look upon the church because of the political dissenters found within her body.  You can’t logically object to the government getting involved in the business of the church when the church won’t stay out of the government’s business.  It’s time the Lord’s people began to reconsider the Lord’s teaching on the separation of Church and State.

3. I object to the dissension breaking out amongst Christians over differences in political beliefs. 

I was recently told that a sister in Moscow had ceased assembling with the saints there because of her political objections to Americans and her refusal to be associated with them in any way.   Had she learned to curb her political appetite, and had many American Christians also learned to curb theirs, Satan would not have had a foothold.

Isaiah 11 is an entire chapter of Scripture dedicated to describing the relationships that were to exist in the Kingdom once Jesus came and established it on earth.  The “lamb lying down with the lion” is not a depiction of a rejuvenated earth, but rather people from extremely different backgrounds, who would not get along under normal circumstances (men such as Zealots and tax collectors) sharing in the blessing of the Kingdom.  They would share a changed “nature” if you will because of the gospel.
 
I am not an American first and a Christian second; I am simply a Christian.  I pray that my “Americanness” is never a stumbling block for any of God’s children the world over.  
 
May God’s children never find themselves staring at one another across the battlefield, be it political or physical.

4. I object to the notion held by many that Christians can take up arms and kill in self-defense or for the sake of government. 

• “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36)

 
And again:

• “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39)

 
The reason Christians do not fight is because they are citizens of a different kingdom. 
 
The reason we do not kill in defense of our own life or the lives of our family members is because suffering persecution – even to the point of death – is the cross of the Christian.  Christians who pursue the salvation of their lives while rejecting the commands of Christ will lose their soul in eternity.  Pay your taxes and remain in good standing with the law so that the government can protect you (Romans 13:2-7).  Trust in God and pray that you might be delivered from evil (Matthew 6:13).  Take up your cross and follow Christ (Matthew 10:38).
 
Again, may God’s children never find themselves staring at one another across the battlefield.

5. I object to brethren who argue, “I know what the Bible says about killing, but if someone breaks into my house, I’m going to kill them and ask God for forgiveness later.”  

Might I remind you of Hebrews 10:26-27:

• “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.”

6. I object to Christians who advocate through word or deed that immorality is acceptable.   

This includes but is not limited to:

• Drinking alcohol.  Scripture never authorizes Christians to drink alcohol for non-medicinal purposes. Rather it commands Christians to be sober (free of intoxicants) – 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8 – and to not “get drunk” (a process) – 1 Thessalonians 5:7 – for “those who practice such things (drunkenness – an action rather than an end state) shall not inherit the Kingdom of God”. (Galatians 5:21).

 

• Walking around naked or immodest anywhere publicly– Genesis 3:7-8, 10, 21.  1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3-4.   This includes but is not limited to men going shirtless, women in one piece and two piece bathing suits, skin tight clothing.

 

• Posting lude pictures and/ or videos – Psalm 101:3. 

 

• Posting vulgar music, speeches, or video clips containing sexually explicit content or profanity – Ephesians 5:3-7.

7. I object to people who take offense when they are confronted over sins they have flaunted publicly.  

If you choose to live immorally and share it on Facebook, don’t be offended when people attempt to snatch you from the fire – Jude 22-23- and/or choose to “unfriend” you.
 
I also object to people who chose to skip the Lord’s Day assembly for vacation, pleasure, business, school, or generally in violation of Hebrews 10:25, and then get upset that they are rebuked for such action and not used in services.

8. Finally, lest this become a never ending list, I object to Christians fellowshipping false religion and acting like everything is okay.  Paul clearly stated,  

• “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16).

 
Why Christians choose to join in the worship of denominations at youth rallies, Christian rock concerts, and Christmas pageants, let alone normal services, is beyond my comprehension of the Lord’s command.  It’s time that the Lord’s people separated themselves from the crowd of people crying “Lord, Lord” while failing to keep His commandments and walking down the broad road to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14, 21-23).
 
 
Please reflect on these words in light of God’s Word and rethink how you represent God in every aspect of your life – including social media and Facebook.