We’ve all seen them. They work on our conscience like those abused animal commercials on television. If we love Jesus – or our spouse, or our kids, or the dog – we will add our click to the 3 million other clicks. And that will prove our love.
Yep, that will do it. The One who made everything that exists and keeps our world spinning in place is holding His breath to see if we click on the little hand under the image on our Facebook feed. Most of us have probably clicked on at least one of them too. Because after all, we don’t want anyone to think we don’t love Jesus. Or our spouse. Or our kids. Or the dog.
If you’ve “liked” or “shared” one of those pics, please don’t think I’m making fun. It’s nice to see how many people are willing to click publicly for Jesus. And I’ve been tempted. I’ve come close a few times. But something keeps my finger off the clicker.
And this is it: I know it’s not that easy.
Showing real love for Jesus means so much more than “liking” Him. In fact, here’s what Jesus said about showing our love for Him.
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” John 14:15
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.” John 14:21
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” John 14:23
Maybe this is really why I have trouble “liking” those pics on Facebook. If I’m not 100% obedient to Jesus then I feel like a hypocrite clicking that little hand. Can I in all honesty tell all of Facebook land that I love Jesus if I’m withholding my obedience in any area?
Those little “thumbs up” icons serve as a heart check for me. Have I laid my will down in complete obedience to God’s? I want to. And some days I do better than others. But I know that I am not fully obedient to Christ in every area of my life.
Am I making too much of a “like” button. Probably. Is it good to regularly check my level of obedience to God? Absolutely.
So I propose we start a new thing: “Obey” if you love Jesus.
How do you show your love for Jesus? Have you checked your level of obedience lately?
You had me at the title Kathy! Oh yes, whenever I see that prompt when it comes to Jesus I pause. After all, many of the people I see clicking don’t even have a personal relationship with Him as far as I know. I’m so glad you shared what His Word says about obedience. If we love Him, we will obey Him. I wonder how many would ‘like’ that? 🙂
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Hi Debbie! Yes, “clicking” is easy, but obedience is hard! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Kathy your words fit why I don’t click them either. Thanks for saying what I’ve been feeling.
Hi Kim! To be honest I was a little nervous about this post. I certainly don’t think there’s anything wrong with “liking” or sharing those pics, but following Jesus is not easy. He told us it would be hard. But I think sometimes we “click” or attend church or write a check and feel like we’ve done our part. So, I’ve been chewing on this for a while and finally decided it was time to post! Thanks for the encouragement!
This is my first time on your blog and I really appreciate this post. I feel this way, too…and I have never clicked on them, although I certainly don’t have anything against those who do. I hope you don’t mind that I reposted this on my blog. Thanks for sharing, I look forward to reading more from you.
Hi Amanda! Glad you found my site. And thanks for sharing the post!
This is a very intriguing post, and I understand where you’re coming from. However, I usually do click the like button (though not always), knowing that I’m not perfect and will never be perfect but Jesus loves me anyway. I know I’m still a sinner even though I do set out to not live in sin and to obey God’s word. The tone around my FB friends/family recently has been that you can’t have the bumper sticker, cross necklace, quote scripture, or even call yourself a Christian if you aren’t perfect. I totally disagree with this mindset and have been trying to convey that God uses imperfect people and anyone can be redeemed for anything. Christians aren’t always obedient much as we may try. I think deliberately living in sin is different from failing but growing in God’s word, so when I click the “like” button, I use it as a reminder of what path I should be taking and to check myself. I could probably take down the cross hanging in my home every day for the same reason, not always being obedient, but I would much rather have the reminder there. Hope this makes sense and I didn’t get off track from your post – lol! I truly can see it from both sides. : )
Shelly, thanks so much for your comments. I actually agree with everything you said! I guess what I was really trying to get at is it is easy for anyone to “like” – even if their faith is only superficial. It really doesn’t show they are serious about following Christ. But I also think it can be good to “like” and “share” those things and possibly reach someone for Christ who otherwise wouldn’t be reached. BTW – I do have crosses hanging in my house!
Yep, that’s all true. I see what you mean. It was really fun to read what everyone thinks about this. Thanks for an interesting post! And I’m glad you have crosses in your home ; )
My first thought whenever I see these sorts of postings, and please don’t think less of me, is that people seem to act as if liking them is enough to show they follow Jesus. I guess what I’m saying is that it seems to substitute for real faith in action for many people. I truly do try not to judge people on this, but it’s a reoccurring thought to me when I see these. Thought I’d throw it out there for discussion.
Kari, I struggle with these things in general, not just the faith-based ones. I think it’s because some of them make you try to feel guilty. For instance, if I think my daughter is beautiful then I will “like” this post. So, the opposite is true as well. If I don’t click, then I don’t think my daughter is beautiful. So, it’s easier to just not click on any of them!
But yes, what you’ve expressed is part of what I’ve been feeling. If clicking “like” is another sign of our love for Christ – then great! If it’s the only sign, then we need to examine our relationship with Him.
It gets at the intentions of the heart, and we can’t truly know any but our own. Even with that, I often try to decieve myself. We can only go by appearances with others, by actions, which means we must always be mindful of them. And I agree that guilt is part of the equation too. Not a healthy motivator.
This post has really got me thinking. I have a lot of friends on my Facebook that aren’t Christians. Sometimes I “like” things so they will see it and hopefully think about Jesus and Christianity.
But I’m now thinking that’s the easy way out. I’m not really introducing them to Jesus. I’m not following the Great Commission. I’m just sticking stuff on their FB page.
Thanks for food for thought…..