Monday, November 27, 2023

To the Christian Meme Community: Reverence for God


One thing the online Christian community should remember is the biblical concept of reverence for God. 

There is a burgeoning and beautiful Christian meme community out there on social media. This is a wonderful thing, don't get me wrong. Hundreds of thousands of Christians out there are using social media to spread the word of God. And part of that is meme culture.

But we should remember an important biblical concept: Reverence for the Lord.

Before you post a meme or picture on social media, ask yourself, "Is it reverent?" 

Things like Jesus dressed as a soccer goalie blocking a soccer ball and a statement that says "Jesus saves" is not reverent.  One might call it in fact sinfully irreverent.  What Jesus did for us on the cross was beautiful and powerful. 

There's a fine line here we should take note of. Jesus as a soccer goalie is irreverent. Then again, a meme can just as easily be honoring to God if done carefully.   

I've seen many others, many from the Babylon bee as well, that are irreverent. And don't get me wrong, I think we can be funny and clever while also avoiding irreverence toward God.  There's a wide path in between those two concepts where safe, funny and biblical is found.  Let's shoot for that. 

God bless you.

Scriptures on reverence for God: 

Hebrews 12:28 ESV Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe

Ephesians 5:4 ESV Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

1 Peter 2:17 ESV Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Psalm 89:7 ESV A God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?

Exodus 3:5 ESV  Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Ephesians 5:21 ESV Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:8 ESV But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.