…Paul would’ve had access to the Internet?
Technology is great, as long as it works. We had some challenges at the start of the LYB blog Bible study, put Lauren made it all work. Now we have a nifty little table at the end of our LYB posts and can this way connect to other believers who are studying the same material. I think it is awesome that we can do that in our day and age. We can take Bible studies on-line, in the comfort of our own home and reach across the ocean. Sure, Bible study on-line misses the part of true fellowship, but you can build that. Don’t you agree?
So, back to my question. What would’ve Paul done with internet access? Would’ve he had written his letters to the churches via email? Would’ve he had blogged to get to his audience? I think he would have… spreading the Gospel much faster. No more long road travels, no more ship wrecks…Wahoo…I can actually picture Paul, sitting at the front of his PC and typing away…His email list at the fingertip and whoosh – of goes the email to build up the churches. Sure, travel would be still involved, but just as a guest speaker. He could just publish his sermons on the internet, like so many others today.
Okay, so Paul didn’t have internet access; he didn’t blog. But a lot of Christians do blog in this day and age. And I think we have a responsibility to 1) spread the Gospel and 2) to build each other up. Sure, we don’t all belong to the same denomination; we have different views on baptism and the Lord’s supper; we read different Bible versions. But we all believe that there is one God; Jesus died for our sins and we are lead by the Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing to God. And we don’t have to work for our salvation, just believe… Don’t you agree? So, why can’t we just build each other up as the Bible tells us. Why do we have to tear down our brothers and sisters in the faith if they don’t ‘behave’ as we think they should ‘behave’? Why do we so easily forget that we are all sinners? Jeana had a great post about different views and she really made me think how fast we are to point fingers at our brothers and sisters, because we have a different view on things.
I have seen many Christian bloggers get hurt over the short time I have been blogging…If you disagree with a view a fellow believer has, why not contact them in ‘private’, via email. ‘Talk’ about your different views. We all have different views…The Internet can be powerful – we as Christians can use it to our advantage. We can stand united as one in Christ and show ‘baby Christians’ and unbelievers what it truly means to be a Christian…Pray for each other. We all have the same enemy – and it is not your brother or sister in Christ.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” ~ Eph 4:29-30 (NIV)
Yes, it is carnival time. Do you have thoughts on the Beauty of Technology? There is still time. Visit Ellen at MzEllen & Co to find out details to submit your entry. Deadline is tomorrow, March 4th, 3pm Est. I hope to see you at Ellen’s this week.
Living by His grace ~ Eph2810
I love this post of yours, Iris. Just think of all the people Paul would have sent his message out to — via email, YM chat, email newsletters, blog and his very own Paul’s Pad website! haha!
Last night we talked about Fellowship in our bible study portion of the Purpose Drive Life session. We talked about how we didn’t need Uniformity in a group, but we needed Unity to be Christ’s children and for us to effectively do Christ’s work. There are a lot of difference in beliefs and understanding of things in the Christian community, but we just have to continue to edify one another, serve in his purpose and try to keep on “saving one more for Him”. And yes, the Enemy is alive but let’s not choose to make him live in our brothers and sisters in Christ. Instead, let’s fight this battle with them 🙂
I love this posting. I am a child of the internet. I love that at the touch of a button I can find a scripture, or book or another Christian. But I do at times this makes us lazy in that we need to shut it off and pick up the Bible. And yes go out into the world to see all those who can’t get on the internet. Yes Paul would have emailed but I bet he would have then gone to see that they were received!!
This is so true, Iris. I think it’s important to build each other up, instead of tearing down. You’re so gifted in encouraging others with your words — what a blessing you’ve been in my in-box!
I went to a conference once,and the speaker gave us a lot of insight into why Rick Warren’s Purpose-Driven Life became such a bestseller — it’s still the bestselling nonfiction hardback book of all time!
The reason why it took off so quickly is because for several years, Rick Warren offered an internet ministry, where he made his sermons available online for pastors around the world to download.
The speaker shared with us a story about the time he visited Africa and met a pastor who worked with a church in a very remote area. He had to walk several miles to the post office every week, but he was able to download Rick Warren’s sermons from the website. Then he could preach the Gospel using helpful ideas from a pastor who had access to hundreds of books for writing powerful sermons. This pastor in Africa said he was so blessed by the ministry of the internet.
So we just never know who our words will reach! And even though I get my feelings hurt sometimes — it’s still worth it to keep on blogging to share with others the hope I have in Christ Jesus!
Good stuff as usual, Iris! Especially about Eph 4:29!!
it is important to build each other up. i actually don’t know many christian bloggers.