Much has been said of late about the “Cancel Culture” we find ourselves neck deep in. Social media often spearheads this bullying. In essence, someone makes a mistake or holds to a different belief than you, so they are dead to you. And while “canceling” is scary and mean-spirited on the world wide web, it is alive and well IRL too. And that makes me incredibly sad.
I believe the origin of cancel culture stems from the desire to protect our own image. If someone (friend, family member or celebrity we don’t even know) says something or acts in a way counter to what we believe, we create as much distance from them as we can. Often very loudly, lest someone mistakenly think we adhere to the same ideology.
The problem? As believers we put the “protection of our witness” above the Lord’s command to love. (My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 NIV) And speaking of our witness, John 17:23 says coming together in “complete unity” is how others will know about Jesus and His love for them. Does “complete unity” mean we agree on everything? Of course not. That will never happen. But it does mean that we show love and respect to each other in the midst of our differences.
As believers we cannot participate in this toxic canceling practice. When we cut someone off and out over a mistake made or a wrong choice, we negate the work of Jesus on the cross. He came to redeem. Cancel culture says, “You are bad. You will never change. You are not worthy.” If any of that is true, what did Jesus die for?”
Counsel culture says, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NIV but that Out of his [God’s] fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. John 1:16 NIV Grace in place of grace! Do you know what that means? When we trust Jesus to save us from our sins, grace covers over all we’ve done in opposition to God. And from that point on, every time we sin, more grace just rains down on us. A continual waterfall of forgiveness that never stops pouring.
This is such fantastic news for all of us. Because we all have dark and wretched parts. Therefore we all have the potential to commit a “cancelable” offense. So what’s a Christian to do? We follow the example of Jesus. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NIV In other words love, love and love some more. In doing so you will point others to Jesus. And that’s the main thing.
And now for this week’s featured post from the link up:
Debbie W. Wilson was singing my tune next week with praying scripture over others. In this case specifically for children in Mothers of Prodigals: Draw hope from Samson. And I did! What an encouragement coming off of Mother’s Day week. Thanks, Debbie.
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Lauren, I so appreciated reading your words this morning. Praying my life reflects Him and points others to Jesus – who has never given up on me.
We are so blessed (there’s not a strong enough word) when we choose to accept His forgiveness.
I’ve been thinking about this so much lately! It’s becoming easier and easier to be a light in the world just by loving and forgiving those who mess up or hold a different view on something. As those who have been forgiven much, we must forgive. Glad you posted this today!
Such a good word, Amy. We must follow His example of forgiveness – among many other things!
This is so beautiful, Lauren! Thank you for tackling something as ugly as cancel culture with with Truth and in love.
That means so much to me, Valerie. Thank you.
Lauren, such a timely post. And thank you for sharing my post from last week! Thankful for God’s provision and way—forgiveness. Blessings to you.
It was such a privilege to read and share your words, Debbie.
I love (and agree with) your thoughts on the root of cancel culture – the desire to protect our own image. God’s first command is to love one another.
Yes, yes and yes!
This is a good word, Lauren. I appreciate this truth, “When we cut someone off and out over a mistake made or a wrong choice, we negate the work of Jesus on the cross. He came to redeem.”
Thank you, Lisa!
I hadn’t heard the term ‘cancel culture’ before but it is true! We divide instead of come together in a cancel culture. Yes, grace is the way to a culture that loves and survives, rather then divides and dies.
Thank for weighing in, Lynn.
Lauren, counsel culture and cancel culture are so different. Jesus was not afraid of being associated with sinners or keeping himself set apart. No, those wee the religious leaders who were involved in the cancel culture of the day. I like how you show how cancel culture says: ” “You are bad. You will never change. You are not worthy.” ” This is totally opposite of what Jesus says to us.
Such a good point about who Jesus spent time with, Theresa! I wish I would have thought to include it. So glad you added it here and I hope others will read it.
Counsel vs cancel — counsel should win EVERY time!!!
Yesss!
I love your distinction between a counsel culture and the cancel culture. I’ve been in conversations lately with someone who wants to cancel a family member who believes differently than they do. But I know Jesus never cancels any of us. Yes, grace!
I have the same situation going on in my family. It’s so disheartening. Grace upon grace!
Lauren, thank you for sharing this great post. I appreciate your words here. Blessings.
~Selah~
Blessings to you, Paula.
Lauren, I’m so glad you shared this post with Hearth and Soul. Cancel culture really can be distressing and the advice you share is incredibly wise. Thank you!
Thanks so much, April. I love participating in your link up!
Lauren,
Sound advice. But there are circumstances when a person’s misdeeds must be addressed and sometimes that message comes through best in silence.
Rena
I agree that not all things can be glossed over. But better to deal with them one on one than in the public forum.
Lauren, I love this post! This cancel culture has been one of my biggest frustrations in life right now! As you know, I do not follow a traditional path in life and often find myself completely “canceled” in many circles. Yet I continue to live from a place of love and acceptance for all people. Honestly, the more different from me, the better. How else will I learn new things, new ways, new perspectives? I do not want to be surrounded by a bunch of Shelbee-look-alikes or Shelbee-act-alikes. That offers me nothing more than what I already have on my own. And Christian or not, this really is the best way to approach life…from a place of love and acceptance and kindness and willingness to be exposed to new and different things in an effort to enrich our own lives as well as the lives of everyone around us. Thanks for sharing this and linking with me.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
What a good point! It would be such a boring world with a bunch of “mes”.