I don’t like that I keep pointing out how our current society and culture is so opposed to these verses from 1 Corinthains 13. But in a nation where “cancel culture” is pretty mainstream, it’s hard not to make that comparison.

I saw cancel culture described as modern day ostracism. But it has come to a point that if anything you say or do is not approved of by others, we don’t just agree to disagree anymore – we banish you. We shame you and so publicly humiliating you that no one would want to be seen associating with you again.

We don’t like someone’s opinion or public stance so we don’t just let bygones be bygones. We have to win. We have to be on top. We have to have all public opinion in our favor.

Christ knew this culture too. He was “cancelled” by the religious leaders of his time to the point that his own friends didn’t want to be associated with him.

This is not anything new to human history. But it is not love.

Love does not put others down in order to keep a higher public status. Love does not discredit, insult, humiliate and shame others for its own gain.

We as Christians have been commanded to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world.” (Romans 12:2) Christ didn’t say it would be easy, but instead He told us:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)

I challenge you to seek to love others more intentionally this week, especially those you disagree with or butt-heads with the most. And if you feel like you are being “cancelled” in today’s world, remember that it just means you do not belong to this world. Seek Christ’s truth and His love in your life above this world’s acceptance.

There was once a man walking through a dark area and he fell into a deep hole. He struggled and struggled to find a way out but couldn’t. Finally, in despair he sat down and buried his head in his hands.

Before long he heard footsteps above and called out. They stopped and walked to the edge. They immediately began to lecture hi from the top of the hole. They told him about the dangers of walking through dark areas and the foolishness of falling into holes you can’t get out of and how he should always avoid both. And they walked on.

What they said was true, but the man was still in the hole.

Shortly afterwards, he heard more footsteps above and called out. They also stopped and walked to the edge. There was a look of compassion on their face, and they told him that his problem was primarily a spiritual one. They threw down a Bible and recommended some verses to read. Then they told him they would be praying and suggested he do the same. And they walked on.

What they said was true, but the man was still in the hole.

A little while later he heard more footsteps but this time he didn’t bother calling out. They stopped anyways and walked to the edge. They didn’t lecture or offer spiritual advice; they did something even more drastic – they jumped into the hole with him. He leaped to his feet and said, “What are you doing?! Now there’s two of us stuck in this hole!”

“No,” the other man replied. “I’ve been here before and I know the way out.”

Let me start by saying I believe there is a difference between being proud of something you’ve accomplished (finishing a long house project, getting a good grade on a test you studied hard for, feeling good about something you did), but then there is being proud of yourself over others. I believe the vice comes into play when you start comparing yourself to others and building up your own self-esteem at the expense of others.

Again, social media these days makes it all too easy for us. When everyone is posting the “best of” things in their life and, if we’re being honest, when we stage our photos to make ourselves, our home, our family, etc. look more ideal and “perfect” than what the reality is… this is where we hit an issue as Christians.

If you spent all morning cleaning your house and want to capture the result before your 4 kids run into the house and destroy it all again – I don’t think Jesus would have an issue with that.

But if you are comparing your home to others and, even a little deeper, if you are posting pictures of your home with the intent to cause envy or to one-up those around you – I’m pretty sure Jesus would say think again.

Our society today seems to encourage us to hinge on pride and boasting. The term “virtue signaling” is used to describe how our public action or statement of opinion demonstrates our good character or correctness over others.

Again, there is a difference in motive and intent. Sharing about how your business, company, outreach services, etc. can help others in need is not boasting. Sharing about how you helped someone else in order to make others think more highly of you is.

When we give, help, and serve others just for our own glory, benefit, and public appearance we are no longer loving like Christ or living for Christ. We are loving ourselves and living for this world.

Christ declared in Matthew 6, that we are to “be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1)

We are called to serve. We are called to give; to help, to share, to encourage and to love. But it can be so easy to get caught up in the traps of pride and self-righteousness that we forget our motivation and the true One who deserves the praise.

Help others as you can – but do it to share the gospel and love of Christ, not for more heart reactions on social media. Give to your church, to your charity and the nonprofits that you have a passion for – but don’t go bragging about your generosity to others for your own benefit.

There can be a fine line we walk as Christians in today’s world. But Love has stated it plainly that we are not to boast and brag. We are not to diminish others for our own gain. More so this calls for a hard look at our motives, our intentions and our heart towards the things we do and say.  May we seek His leading and guidance as we strive to love and serve those around us.

Its so easy to get caught up in a material world that makes you feel inferior without the latest trend or newest gadget. And when we see someone else with a bigger house, newer car, nicer clothes, prettier hair, better (insert item here), instead of being happy for them and sharing in their joy we get jealous. We complain and say “I want that!” and “I need that!” and “Why not me, God?!”

But love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t compare. It doesn’t get jealous or want what others have.

Love celebrates with others. Love rejoices in the blessings God has given to our friends and family. Love shares in the joy of others.

When we are free from the grip of comparisons and the societal burden of have-nots we can freely give thanks for all things. We can be happy with what we have as well as what others have, even when they are not the same.

I think back to a few of our past mission teams sharing about the happiness and joy of those they’ve served in the D.R. Those who have comparatively less than us perhaps have greater joy than we know. Instead of complaining about what they don’t have and the hardships they face, they rejoice in the Lord and sing of His goodness.

Perhaps we need to remember that as we scroll through our social media this week. Let us be content in the blessings God has given us, and let us rejoice and share in the joyful praise of others for the good things He has given them as well.

Because when we all are united in love we share in each other’s blessings, and sin and temptation and the evils of this world can seem to fade away.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves…Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:9-10, 21

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8