Sarah Jakes Roberts was playing dress-up in her own closet and decided to share her fun with her fans.
The daughter of famed preacher T.D. Jakes posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: “When @stylistjbolinstocks your closet so well you just get to walk in the closet and play. This old dress as a jacket with my favorite ripped jeans from Tarjay made for a comfy day.”
But one fan thought Roberts’ wardrobe post didn’t shine light on Jesus.
“Beautiful outfit, but Lord Jesus these ‘Christians’ and their attire! The world is going to hell in a hand basket and every time I turn around, ‘Christians’ aren’t using social media to tell the world about a Savior. They are using it mostly from a carnal stand point. Hmmm, ‘clothes’ or ‘lives?’ I wonder which one does the Lord care more about us touching. You have a huge platform and THE WORLD is definitely watching. Be blessed.”
Rather than shying away from the criticism, however, Roberts posted back.
To Roberts, what draws people to her social media accounts doesn’t matter. If it’s a rocking outfit, great!
Roberts’ goal is for people to leave inspired and feel the love of God.
“You judge my entire platform from one post yet failed to even look at the powerful worship I posted earlier today,” Roberts wrote.
“… Just because you don’t understand the method doesn’t mean you should condemn it. I’m very certain that God is guiding and directing all to my journey who were turned away by people seeking to make judgment instead of offering compassion. I may not be your cup of tea and you’re probably not mine, but if we believe in the same Christ and are all on a journey of Him completing His work in and through us, that’s enough for me. Instead of creating division, search for an opportunity to be a more compassionate Christian.”
Roberts wasn’t the only one taken aback by the critic’s comment. Several of her other fans posted that the critic was out of line.
However, the critic continued her Internet tirade about how Christians should look in this world.
“I honestly didn’t even believe she read the responses. So I didn’t and don’t expect her to respond,” the critic commented back. “You have assumed far too much from my post. I don’t believe Sarah is going to hell because she posts pics on Instagram! That’s absurd! Again I stated my opinion and I stand by it. The world is watching. I don’t have any hate or dislike for Sarah either. I just believe she has a powerful platform and posting pics of her attire and talking about her closet sounded a little off kilter to me. It just doesn’t jive with her platform and honestly I believe God agrees with me.”
Roberts is not the only Christian celebrity to use her social media channels to post more than Bible verses.
Spiritual celebrities like Britt Nilsson and Sadie Robertson use their Instagram accounts to offer a glimpse into their daily lives, which sometimes include Bible verses and prayer requests, and sometimes show them eating ice cream while wearing sunglasses.
The critic’s comments are also in direct opposition with former Victoria’s Secret model Nicole Weider, who says that fashion and God do not have to be mutually exclusive.
