Being out of school recently has given me a lot of time to spend on social media. If I’m being honest, it’s been too much time. That being said, I’ve witnessed many a comment section arguments among a variety of Facebook friends from a diverse collection of religious beliefs, sexual identities, political parties, and geographic locations. Facebook fighting is nothing new. It’s existed as long as the platform has and has only increased in the last few years of heightened political tensions. We all love to leave a snarky comment and give ourselves a pat on the back when feeling like a badass. I’m guilty of this. This is the world we live in. Social media gives everyone a voice, which in essence isn’t a bad thing.

In the world, but not of the world…?

That being said, I have to wonder why those who are called to be peacemakers in a chaotic world often use social media no differently than those who are not? Why are we Christians, specifically American Christians, often the most divisive on social media? Who hurt us? Why do we feel the need to leave a snarky comment on any post that echoes pro-choice or pro-LGBT sentiments? Who told us that we were victims of religious persecution who needed to constantly go on the defensive every time we see a Facebook post we don’t like? What good are we doing when we leave an ominous, almost threat-like comment with a verse reference attached? I mean, I understand. This is America. We can say what we want, when we want. I love the First Amendment. But, just because we can say something, does that mean we should? Let me be clear, I’m not trying to insinuate that Christians should change their beliefs or never share those beliefs. But, can we start being honest with ourselves? Do we really believe that we’re going to bring someone closer to Jesus through our Facebook comments?

What’s our goal in all of this?

Do we really believe that these petty arguments are helping anyone? No. At the end of the day, we just delete those we disagree with and then hide away behind our screen marinating in the correctness of our beliefs. We live in a culturally skewed version of politicized Christianity in which we are more concerned with being right than loving those we disagree with. As I say all of this, I must confess that I’m guilty of this too. This isn’t a call-out on any specific political party as I’ve seen it on every side of the political spectrum.

Let’s be the church.

Instead, I want to challenge the Church to get out of our echo chambers. What effect could we have if we left our computer screens and actually spent face-to-face time with those we disagree with? What does it look like to “make peace?” I know to some of us this sounds like a bunch of “kumbaya” crap, but spending time with people who are different than us might reveal that we have more common ground than we realize. So, before we leave our snarky comments, can we stop and ask what our purpose in leaving said comment is? Is it going to bear good fruit? Is it going to push someone closer to Christ? Or will it simply be another reason to put up walls?

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” - Matthew 5:9