Pastor's Corner

27 Apr
twit

Mid-Week Challenge

I don’t use Twitter, but I’ve been called a twit.  Not sure what that means but I have been hearing a lot of people using the word around here lately.  As you are well aware, Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has purchased the social media platform Twitter for $44 billion.  When you have the kind of money he does, you get to do things like that.  The thing that comes to mind for me about Twitter is that they are famous for banning people who say things most liberal minded people disagree with.  Again, I’m not on the platform, but I can’t help coming to that conclusion after listening to the balance of media outlets.  I have never heard about Twitter banning someone or a group that openly bashes religious groups, sexual orientation, ethnic backgrounds or political preference unless they speak out for conservative causes.  So, with the announcement of Musk’s purchase, those on the liberal side of things have spoken out against him and those on the conservative side praise his move.  One side says democracy is over, the other democracy restored.  Did we not have democracy before Twitter? I think all of this attention has unveiled the hilariously sad position our society finds itself in at the moment.  Our culture acts as if life begins and end with one’s ability to express themselves in a public discourse.  One side celebrates when that ability is censored, the other celebrates with that ability is restored?  One side is happy that we no longer have to hear from people we disagree with, the other happy that their opinion is heard.  Technology has fanned the flame of ego.  It has always been true that most people think their opinion is the most important, but now we have the power to allow everyone to hear it! Coupled with the ego of thought and the power of technology, why wouldn’t everyone want to hear that I am right about everything I have to say?!?!  So, Elon is the hero or the goat; it just depends on which political side you lean. Don’t worry, he’s as human as the rest of us! Soon, he will do something that will pull the more liberal minded back to his side.

In a great article on the subject, David French quotes John Adams who wrote to the officers of the First Brigade of the Third Division of the Militia of Massachusetts to outline the responsibilities of the citizens of the new republic.  French quotes Adams letter: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. Because We have no Government armed with Power capable of contending with human Passions unbridled by morality and Religion. Avarice, Ambition, Revenge or Galantry, would break the strongest Cords of our Constitution as a Whale goes through a Net.”

French explains, “Put in plain English, this means that when public virtue fails, our constitutional government does not possess the power to preserve itself.”  Looking at the First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Government can’t legislate feelings, morals or ethics.  The American legal system can help to restrict and punish immorality, but it can’t stop someone who wants to slander or steal from you. Government can’t change character, only God can do that.   https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/john-adams-fear-has-come-to-pass?s=r

It makes no difference who owns Twitter or who is crying foul at this moment.  Until we get our hearts right, our society has no hope. You can surround yourself with people who think and speak just like you but all you will ever hear is your words and thoughts coming right back at you.  That’s no way to grow or experience the different life struggles of another.  Like it or not we have to do this thing called life together.  When we come to the conclusion that life is “not all about me,” then we will have made progress.  We will never get there without Jesus, because without Him we are all on our own.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  Romans 12:3

Serving the Savior,

Bro. Jonathan

By: Dr. Jonathan Richerson

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