cancel culture – Robin Writes

Friends, Foes, and Fellowship

Posted on January 3, 2022January 3, 2022 by Robin House

The world, the worldly, and sometimes even fellow Christians tell us that we are not enough, not worthy, not wanted, not liked or loved, and just not a good fit to be in their fellowship and with their friends. The message is rarely overt, but none the less, the message is as crystal clear as a dinner bell. Some may not know or realize what they are saying or doing when they snub someone or are silent. Some do.

Over the past year or so, a lot of relationships have changed or even ceased among our friends and families. Social isolation drove many to social media platforms for connections and to meet our needs for value and validation. Unfortunately, social media platforms and an expanding worldly worldview among our population has spurred trends among our young people (and some of us older ones, too) for increasing cases of depression, malaise, anxiety, and even suicide.

The devil often uses our pasts, our insecurities, and our many faults to trip us up. He even uses those we call friends to intimate to us and whisper softly to others that we aren’t quite good enough and that we aren’t worthy to be in their company, to be their friend, or to share in their fellowship. Clicks and clubs among other groups and methods have been a way to exclude and reject for a long time. The cancel culture is even seen among the members of Christ’s church. There is really nothing new under the sun, but these things are still hurtful and even harmful, especially to young girls and women.

On the day after Jesus fed over 5000 men with only five barley loaves and two small fish, the crowds followed Jesus across the sea to Capernaum. As Jesus was questioned by the crowd, he questioned the crowd’s motives for following Him. Did they just want free food and a miracle or two? He taught them clearly in John 6:29, “The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.” The crowd that followed Jesus found His teachings difficult to understand and accept. Jesus didn’t quite meet their expectations of who He was or how He should be. His mission didn’t fit in with their mindset or worldview.

In John 6:66 the writer says, “From that time on many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him.” When push came to shove, Jesus, God’s own and only Son, sent with a message of love and reconciliation for all mankind was rejected by most. In this passage, Jesus seems sad and even dejected by the reaction of those precious souls He loved and came to die for.

After the crowds left from following Him, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked if they wanted to leave Him too. Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God.” They understood. They listened to Him. They believed in and appreciated Him, but most didn’t.

Sometimes today, just like in Jesus’ day, who we are and what we are about doesn’t meet the standards and expectations of others. Some people just won’t get us or our mission. Not everyone will like us. We’re not their flavor, style, type, or cup of tea as a person. We are and will be rejected, deemed unacceptable or unworthy to be in their company or at their party or event. We are not invited. We are summarily disfellowshipped, and removed or isolated from their presence, often without a hearing or even knowing why. We are just excluded.

It doesn’t matter that we said something awkward, dumb, or even the wrong thing at the wrong time in the wrong way and didn’t realize it. It doesn’t matter that we are sorry when we have a faux pas or unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings. Cancel culture has no room for mercy or grace – much less real forgiveness. It doesn’t matter that we don’t know how to be the life of the party or even if we do. Whether too serious or too silly, we somehow don’t stack up to be selected for the group, team, meeting, event, click, or whatever.

It can be very painful from the outside looking in, knowing that friendship and fellowship are out of reach and withheld from us in our families, among some we consider our friends, and even within our congregations of Christian brothers and sisters.

The devil wants us to feel alone and isolated. He’s happy to divide and destroy relationships and reputations. He will use any and all methods, including our families and friends, to discourage and depress us. The devil wants to distract us from what is important and dissuade us from doing and following the good and perfect will of God, our Father. The devil used the same techniques on Jesus during His life and ministry here on earth. In His last moments on the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me!” The agony of all the sins of every person past, present, and future fell on Jesus’ shoulders on the cross that crucifixion day, and though God can not be in the presence of sin – God didn’t forsake Jesus. God, through Christ and the cross, worked out and fulfilled His wonderful and perfect plan of salvation for us.

When rejected, let’s remember what Jesus said in John 15:18 and following: “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. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’

Sometimes people will hate us without reason also. Sometimes the reason we are rejected and excluded is because we do belong to Christ, and that makes some uncomfortable. Sometimes people are just flat out mean, and mean to be hurtful. Sometimes they are simply thoughtless and careless of their words and actions.

In any case, the devil will take any and every reason and opportunity to hurt and dishearten us. That’s why we must keep in mind that our battle is not against flesh and blood. Our battle is not with the people who reject or exclude us. Our battle is with the devil and spiritual forces of evil. That’s why God tells us to put on our armor and be fully dressed for when (not if) the battles of this life come. The devil loves to hurt us and will use family, friends, and foes to do it.

The key to dealing with this issue is to keep ourselves in the Word of God and recognize the ways the devil schemes. When we hold up the shield of our faith, the Bible says that we “can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” We must keep top of mind that on our heads we wear the helmet of salvation. Our destiny and eternity with God are sure. Lastly, with the sword of the Spirit, “which is the Word of God” we can go on offense to counter the lies the devil tells us – even and at times, through those we know, love, admire, and respect.

With our armor on, we are instructed next in God’s word to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” How often do we try to solve our own problems not remembering Matthew 11 which says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Let’s lay down our yokes and burdens and take the one Jesus offers. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

God cares for us down to the hairs on our head and knows exactly what we need. Sometimes what we think we need, isn’t really what we need. Perhaps God prefers we seek His fellowship over that of those we would want as friends. In our prayers, let’s trust Him. Romans 8:26 tells us that we have an advocate in the Holy Spirit. The verse says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” For those in Christ, God is for us. In fact the Bible says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” How awesome is that?

The answer to feeling rejected, ignored, disliked, unwanted, unloved, unworthy, etc. is to get dressed with God’s protective armor, hold up our shields, rightly wield our swords, and pray at all times in the Spirit. This gives us the protection and the provision for the battles in this world with both ‘friends’ and foes.

We can not “make” others act rightly or follow the Lord or His commands. We can only and must focus on what we can do. Our focus needs to be on our relationship with Christ following and obeying our heavenly Father. Jesus said in John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” That’s how we need to respond to rejection. Jesus said in John 15, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” We need to follow Christ’s lead and act with love towards others – whether family, friend, or foe. Remember, we are only responsible for our actions, not theirs.

In conclusion, I Peter 3:8-17 says, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

Let’s remember these verses. Let’s look to the Lord for our identities, our value, and our relationship needs. He is able. He loves us. He wants us. He valued us more highly than His only Son. He has set a table for us – even in the presence of our enemies. He is the only One who will never let us down and always has what is for our best in mind. Trust Him. Depend on Him. He will be there for us, even when or if one else is.

I am thinking on these things…

Robin Robbins House

Democracy, Fascism, or Tyranny?

Posted on July 17, 2021July 17, 2021 by Robin House

I see many changes in our nation today. One change of concern is the governmental interference in the exercise of our first amendment rights. The government appears to be moving towards a more fascist rule instead of a representative republic. I’ve seen it in what is and isn’t allowed in the public square and on public platforms. Because concerns over fascim have increased, I looked up the definition this morning, and it appears that the unknown editors of truth were busy re-writing the definition of this term. The page for fascism was broken for a time. I’ve seen this before with the google searches for certain terms and definitions. When big government or big tech changes ‘on the fly’ the definitions of words and terms to suit their agendas, we have a big problem. The definition of fascism by wikipedia, for some reason this day, seemingly had to be removed, edited or adjusted. Perhaps due to the reporting this morning on fascist type actions being taken by the federal administration or perhaps not. We may never really know.

According to wordnik.com Fascism is “A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, a capitalist economy subject to stringent governmental controls, violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.”

Today we see the federal government exercising coercion, suppression, and oppression in coordination with private social media companies and various reporting platforms to monitor, suppress, cancel, and blackball American citizens from their constitutional right to free speech across all social media platforms. The federal government has decided that it knows what’s best and best for us. They have decided that anyone who doesn’t follow their current party line or politically correct policy should be squelched as determined by some unknown and unidentified governmental senior officials. Citizens are being disavowed, and disallowed to exercise their right to free speech. The administration is taking names, writing them down, and telling social media platforms to cancel them. It sounds kind of like what happened to the last president. He had said that if they could censor and silence him as president, they could do it to anyone. It appears they are. Biden said that those who are opposed to vaccines or don’t want to take a vaccine are killing people. It seems that if someone in power doesn’t like what you say and do, they can and will censor and remove your rights to free speech.

Without the exchange of ideas (even bad ones) and the ability to respectfully discuss and debate the issues of the day, we are effectively under a fascist system of government. The president’s press secretary admitted today in a press briefing that her and the administrations thoughts and beliefs on appropriate treatments for the virus trump any Big Brother tactics the administration is now using to limit, restrict, and cancel the speech of our fellow citizens on social media platforms. In fact if someone is deemed to have posted misinformation, she says that they should be banned altogether and across all social media platforms. In other words, the first amendment is not as important as the administration’s directives on what is and is not true about the virus and methods of dealing with it.

Never mind that during the course of the virus, government leaders in the field of science in the highest offices have said at one time erroneous statements they believed to be true and then completely reversed their statements and mandates to say the exact opposite idea or policy. We heard that we shouldn’t wear masks, then we should, and now maybe we should mask again. Where’s the discussion and the debate on the facts? The government says follow the science, then they don’t follow the science. Federal recommendations say no mask is needed if someone is vaccinated, but if we get on a plane, we all must wear masks even if vaccinated. What about all the representatives from Texas who were shown on a plane without masks. Do only democratic politicians get to go without masks on planes?

Is it only senior governmental officials and politicians who get to determine what is true and truth? It appears so. Now it is clear that the social media platforms and most news outlets are also in government’s back pocket to do their bidding. What happened to the free press? Ask the Cubans, Russians, and Chinese – if they will talk to you. As far as our government officials? What standards do they hold to anyway? Are they known to be truthful, ethical, honest, and trustworthy? Are they right? Are they always right?

“Let them die.” This was the shouted statement of a federal employee yesterday at a Fairfax, VA education meeting when talking with parents about people who oppose the teaching of critical race theory. It appears that this is the next shot over the bow of anyone who disagrees. This call for death by a federal employee to some American citizens this week and many more politicians calling for and encouraging violence and destruction over the past year seems very dangerous and divisive. Why do they want us to be fearful and divided against one another? Mark 3:24-25 Jesus says, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.” Is the goal of some in power to pit us as citizens against one another. President Lincoln and others have quoted this verse. It was true in Jesus’ day, Lincoln’s, and today. Is this the road tyranny?

Tyranny is defined by dictionary.com as “arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.” Is this what we are seeing? Is this what we chose in our elections? Is this the government under which we want to live? Is this the government of, by, and for the people? Is it????

Unfortunately, it appears that there is a hard push by many elected officials for fascism at a minimum and for tyranny if they can get it. Is this what we want? Is this what we voted for in our elections? There is a proverb that says, “Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Is this what we are seeing?

I pray that our nation and its people will seek what is true, stand for what is right, support one another – loving their neighbors as themselves, show patience for a variety of thoughts and ideas, sincerely debate to seek what is right and true in order to share positive and unifying ideas that promote the general welfare for all of us in these still, for now, United States of America. I pray we won’t let evil rule or win in our homes, churches, communities, and nation. Let’s say no to division, divisiveness, and destruction in our homes, community and nation. Don’t let the devil and his followers win in his desire to steal, kill, and destroy. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Let’s look to and listen to Jesus. In I John 3:7-10 John says, “Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.” Lastly, I pray that we will all seek to do right and serve the Savior who ultimately sets all things right and saves us eternally from our sins. May God bless you and may God bless America.

Robin Robbins House ©️
7/16/21

Judge Correctly!

Posted on March 2, 2021April 12, 2021 by Robin House

When the time for the Feast of Tabernacles had come and Jesus’ brothers asked him to show himself to the world publicly, Jesus told them that His time was not yet come. Jesus’ brothers went on ahead to the feast without Jesus, and the Bible says that at this time “even his own brothers did not believe in him.” Jewish leaders were looking for Jesus and among the crowds of people at the Feast of Tabernacles people were talking. The Bible said that there was widespread whispering about Jesus. Some said that Jesus was a good man while others believed He wasn’t good and deceived people. No one would, however, speak out publicly for fear of the Jewish leaders. It seems like some things never change.

About half way through the eight day festival, Jesus did go up to the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem and began teaching in the temple courts. The Jews there were amazed at Jesus’ teaching. They wondered how He had so much learning without being taught. You see, Jesus, was not of the elite or powerful. He made his entrance in the manger of a barn and by all accounts wasn’t wealthy or part of the elite in society.

In reply to their questions as to how Jesus knew so much Jesus said, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the One who sent me. Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?”

Jesus goes on to say that because he did one miracle in healing a man, they were all amazed. Jesus reminded them that by the law of Moses newborn boys are circumcised on the Sabbath (even though it is a declared day of rest) so that the law of Moses may not be broken, yet they were angry with Jesus for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath. Jesus goes on to say, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

In today’s society, people are all about following the latest or greatest popular person. How many followers someone has is a thing of status. Jesus, like some today, was somewhat a phenomenon. He had many followers who were fascinated by Him. He was unusual and “amazing” to some and someone to be feared by others. People throughout the region were talking about Jesus. The powerful in politics and religion were watching for Him. Some feared Him and His influence on the people since the things He did and the words He spoke did not match up with their belief system and expectations. Some feared Jesus would show them to be the fraud’s they were. Some feared that He would take away their power. Some just didn’t know, but they still distrusted Him.

We have this same situation happening today in our political and religious world. The common man and woman on the streets are discussing whether someone should be able to have presence or platform from which to speak. Publishers and politicians are banning speech that they don’t like or agree with in order to cancel their effect on others. Like the threats against Jesus, some are calling for the death of those they do not like or agree with on issues. Today, Dr. Seuss’ own publishers decided that some of his works need to be removed from the public square. Why? What is behind all the censorship of thoughts, ideas, and words? Can we no longer stand to see the truth of history? Can we not acknowledge a viewpoint that isn’t in lock step with our own?

The Bible begins, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” It is a bold statement. It is how the Word of God begins. We must each decide if this is a true or a false statement. We will choose to believe this is right or wrong. In the same way, Jesus challenged those in the temple courts over 2000 years ago to check out what He said. Jesus said that anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether His teaching comes from God or is from him only. Jesus said that those that knew the will of God would be able to verify that He spoke on behalf of His Father who is God almighty.

There is a challenge today for the Christian and the non Christian to decide whether what Jesus said is true or false. We must each decide whether what he preached was right or wrong. Jesus confronted those in the temple courts about their inconsistent enforcement of the law of Moses. Do we today see the inconsistencies in how things are decided? Do we see the contradiction in our own conversations and behaviors between how we treat one person or idea over another?

Jesus admonished those listening to him in the temple courts saying, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” I think this advice needs to be repeated today. What we see is not always as it appears. The only way to know for sure what is true is to seek the truth in the consistent message revealed throughout the Holy Word. Jesus tells us that those who choose to follow God’s will – will know whether what Jesus preached and taught was of God or not. How is that? It is because they will see and come to know the will of the Father written in the Word of God.

When we judge things today, do we stack it up against the standard of the Word of God? Do we have the will to do the will of God? Are we judging by mere appearances or seeking to judge rightly? Each of us makes decisions and judgements every day about a myriad of things including one another. Are we judging rightly as the Righteous Judge and Lord would want us to do, or are we jumping to conclusions without all the evidence?

Do we give people the grace of time? Do we look below the surface of appearances to the motives of their movements through life? Have we tried to get to know one another and their circumstances, or do we dismiss people out of hand? Are we willing to walk in someone else’s shoes for just a minute to see what paths they must tread? Are we interested in our fellow man enough to change our point of view to try to see what things look like through their eyes? Has someone “offended” us and unbeknown to them been written off? Do people get a second chance with us? Or a third? Or seventy-seven times? Jesus told Peter to forgive a brother or sister not just seven times in a day, but seven times ten times in a day when they repent. Do we accept those who are sorry and repent for wrongs they do – intentionally or not? Are we so perfect that we can’t stand to put up with any imperfection in those around us? Are we so prideful and pious that we won’t be in the presence of those called pathetic in our society? Do we use our power or position to ‘put out of mind and sight’ those who don’t share our ideas and beliefs? Did we write off a friend because they told us the truth or we felt they were just too much trouble?

Who are we to stand as king of the hill to look down pridefully at anyone? Don’t we, each and every one of us, have our own problems and missteps to overcome? Do we have any charity/love for our fellow man? Will we give it and show it?

Jesus calls us to judge correctly. Can we? Will we? And if we do, I know our God be pleased. Just as Jesus spoke not on his behalf but on the Father’s, can we as Christians and children of God not do the same?

We can, if we will, choose to follow God, and if we will learn His will, we will know that Jesus’ message was true and His ways are right. What an awesome world this could be if we would judge correctly.

Think on these things…

The Bible passage reference is from John 7.