Before and After
Have you ever met a friend from social media in real life and been totally caught off guard? They seem nothing like the posts you’ve liked and commented on. Social media, for most people, has become a snapshot of who we want to be. What we think serves as our identity. How we want the world to see us. And this world is full of people searching for their identity. As Christians, we have a unique opportunity to unyoke ourselves from this life-long hunt. But, we have to break through who society says we are, first. We must fight to peel away the layers of our worldly identity to reveal who we truly are in Christ.
Whether you’re just getting your Christian feet wet or a seasoned veteran in need of revival, Paul’s Letter to the Romans is always an excellent place to start. The Epistle touches on many key issues like salvation, sanctification, and the role of the Law. In many ways, it acts as a summary of the Christian faith. Believers often refer to it as “Christianity 101” and direct people who are searching for a better understanding of the Christian faith there. However, as with much of God’s Word, there really is something for all of us.
One of the key changes in the life of a believer is our relationship with sin. Paul outlines this evolution in Chapter 6. Paul writes, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6: 1-2, ESV). So many aspects of our culture embrace sin and even celebrate it, but we, as believers, are called to turn away from sin. While on this earth, we are never going to stop being sinners, and God knows this, but that does not mean we should be constantly walking in sin. In fact, we should be avoiding it.
Paul also uses a paradox to illustrate the changes that take place when we accept Christ. “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6: 17-18, ESV). This beautiful juxtaposition highlights the true difference between the “old” us and the “new” us. When you boil it down, we have the choice to serve one of two masters: Satan or God. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have chosen God as our Master. We are still “slaves”… but to good instead of evil. To light instead of dark. Because of this, we should be constantly living in righteousness every day of our lives. This can be a constant struggle when so much of the world serves Satan. But, we are called to fight this battle and He will be by our side every step of the way.
One last thought: an important part of unbecoming who the world knows us as is living out our Christian identity for others to see. Although we know His opinion matters most, we should also be shining His light into this world whenever possible. We should be the hands and feet of Jesus to others. “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17, ESV). If those around you do not see the Holy Spirit working in you, what impression are you giving them about the Christian faith? How much are you really exhibiting the identity you have been called to assume? Take a minute and think about your presence on social media especially. Do your posts and comments serve the world…or do they serve Him?
Catherine (Cat) Garner was born in Long Beach, California and moved to Nevada when she was 10. She grew up in the Las Vegas community, then earned her BA in English and Political Science from the University of Nevada, Reno and her teaching credential from UNLV. She is a National Board CertifiedTeacher who has taught, coached, mentored, #allthethings in public schools for over a decade. She also walks in a variety of school-related roles outside the classroom such as writing curriculum and teaching professional development classes. Her husband, Ryan, is a CPA and they have one son, Jack, and a fur-daughter, Emma. She loves worship music, shoes, a good book, Precepts Bible studies, soccer, making silly TikToks, Sally Clarkson, house plants, and yoga.