Do You Favorite or Retweet?

As the world of Twitter has become more and more popular, the terms “favorite” and “retweet” have become common among us. To favorite something means to declare that you like it, while to retweet something means having the post duplicated to your own profile for people to see.

I saw a tweet a few days ago where someone posted that they didn’t want favorites, but they wanted to be retweeted. This got me thinking a little bit. What does Jesus ask of us? Jesus didn’t ask His followers to favorite his message.

Jesus was preaching good news, the best news ever. Jesus preached that anyone could come to God, exactly how they were, and when they put their faith in what He did on the cross, they would receive grace, and forgiveness. Mankind can be joined into a relationship with God through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. That is huge, exciting news.

A message like this is certainly worth favoriting.

But as Christians, we’re not called to favorite this message.

We’re called to retweet this message.

Throughout Scripture it’s shown to us that we’re supposed to grow more and more to become like Jesus. Our lives are supposed to be retweets of His life.

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”’ – 1 Peter 1:15-16 (ESV)

This word “holy” carries the idea of being set apart, being different, or being called to a different standard. We’ve been called to reflect Christ.

Be careful in how you think about this. It’s easy to favorite Jesus. We talk about how awesome Jesus is, and we sing songs to Him at church. However, it’s not a difficult task to favorite Jesus without retweeting Him. We can like Jesus, we can think Jesus is great, but if who Jesus is doesn’t change who we are, it’s pointless.

Don’t fall into the ever growing category of people in the world today who favorite Jesus and stop there.

Be holy as God has called you to be holy. Be different. Live by the higher calling which God has for you.

Let your life retweet Jesus.

On Christ the Solid Rock.

Steadfast [sted-fast] -Adjective.
1. Fixed in direction; steadily directed: a steadfast gaze.
2. Firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment, etc., as a person: a steadfast friend.
3. Unwavering, as resolution, faith adherence, etc.
4. Firmly fixed in place or position.

Immovable [ih-moo-vuh-buhl] -Adjective.
1. Incapable of being moved; fixed; stationary.
2. Incapable of being influenced by feeling; emotionless: An immovable heart; an immovable tyrant.
3. Incapable of being moved from one's purpose; steadfast; unyielding.

You might be wondering what these two words have to do with the old hymn, "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand."

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:58, uses both of these words together, as he encourages the Corinthian believers to comtinue because of the work of Christ in defeating death.

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

In Matthew 10:22, Jesus says that it is those who stand firm in their faith who will be saved.

This whole idea of standing firm in our faith, not being shaken, is obviously very important.
Paul brings it up in almost all of his letters, and Jesus referenced on more than one occasion for us to continue in strength, to not be shaken, to not waver. James says that the one who wavers is like a wave driven by the sea, and that they are unstable in all of their ways.

What is so important about standing firm?
Two things I see that are the product of immovable faith.

First, immovable faith, standing firm in Christ, results in our growth. When Satan attacks us, tempts us, when God allows our faith to be tested, there is temptation to give in, to allow the difficulties that arise to overcome us, but Paul and James both speak of the reward in being overcome by Christ, and overcoming our difficulties and struggles through the strength that He gives. Endurance, hope, patience, and character. These are all qualites that are worth the pursuit.
Our faith does not grow unless it is tested.
Take the example of a body builder. If a person wishes to get stronger physically, they will never accomplish their goal if they go to the gym every day, pick up the 5lb weight once, and then leave.
Strength is built through added resistance.
Our faith is the same way! When the problems grow, and the difficulties increase, it is to grow and stretch our faith. It will more than likely be painful, but we will not grow otherwise!
Difficulties, problems, struggles, and trials all serve to grow our faith, and our reliance on strength from God.

Secondly, when we stand firm in our faith, when we refuse to be shaken, it stands as a testimony to the faithfulness of God.
Things go wrong for everyone, all the time. Nobody on this world has a perfect life, free from any issue that may arise. The way that these predicaments are dealt with however, varies greatly. Some people complain and whine through them, some people fight through them, some people blame God for them and grow bitter, and some people fall on God in them, allowing the things which come against them to push them closer to the Lord.
We should strive to be like the last person. When things arise against us, let them push you to Jesus, cling to Him, and rely on His grace and power to see you through.
When we stand firm in trials, is leaves an example for other believers. Paul told the Corinthians to follow him in the way that He followed Jesus. We can set an example for other believers. When we refuse to be moved by troubles of this world, it can encourage other believers to do the same.
Also, when we are resistant to the common responses to these trials, when we refuse to complain, or accept defeat, it leaves a testimony which those who don't have relationship with Christ can see.
When you stand firm, non-Christians will notice. This exemplifies the power of Jesus Christ in ways that cannot be shown apart from struggles. It is easy to be a Christian when things are easy, but its more of a witness to remain a Christian in your actions and words when things are difficult. When people expect you to cave in, to be overwhelmed, refusing to be overcome by your difficulties is a powerful witness for Christ.

What kind of witness are you being?
Are you facing difficulties? If so, are you overcoming them through the redeeming power of Jesus Christ, or are you allowing them to overcome you?

"Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." -1 Corinthians 10:12-13