How to Live in a "Cancel" Culture

“Affirm” and “Cancel” are two words used in the cultural lingo of the day. We’ve all witnessed the way these two ideas have played out. I’ve been chewing on the idea that neither of these words and what they represent in culture are in line with the life that Jesus asks His followers to live. Last week (9.24.2021) I addressed “affirm.” This week I’ll address “cancel.” Cancel or “Cancel Culture” refers to a form of shunning or boycotting. Someone thinks something, says something, or does something out of step, or disagreeable to another and they are “canceled.” They are silenced, their opinion, thinking, and words are deemed unimportant and meaningless. The person canceled has nothing of value to add, they are shamed into silence. The practice of “cancelling” goes directly against the commandment of Jesus to “Love your neighbor” and “Love one another.” Below is Paul’s description of love from 1 Corinthians 13. As you read through the description of love, do you see anything that even closely resembles “cancelling?” “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures. Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NCV) Throughout Jesus’ three years of public ministry, the Jewish leaders continually attempted to cancel Jesus. Jesus challenged the Jewish leaders, sometimes forcefully, but he never cancelled them. They were often wrong in their views, opinions and practices and Jesus would confront them, but not cancel them. They were people he was going to hang on the cross and die for. Many of the Jewish leaders became followers of Jesus after his resurrection. He listened, he asked them questions in response to their questions and accusations, but cancelling was not Jesus’ way. His instructions were explicit. “Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.” Matthew 5:44 (NCV) The Apostle Paul emphasized Jesus’ command. “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.” (Romans 12:14 (NLT) Jesus instructs us to love those who “cancel” us and to bless those who use cancelling as a weapon against us. Loving our enemies and blessing those who want to silence us is hard work; but it is the Jesus way.