Matt._4:23 “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.”
We have become a technological society. It is said that today 73% of the people have either a laptop or a desktop computer. The same report shows that 68% have smart phones. Many of these people also use at least one form of the social media. It has increased from 10% in 2005 to 76% in 2015. (Statistics provided by the Pew Research Center.) The computer can be used for good or for evil depending on the mindset of the person who turns it on. In an article in Christianity today, it was stated that 20% of the people use the internet for religious purposes. It is estimated that over two million people a day use the internet for religious guidance. Are we substituting technology for Jesus? Jesus praying to the Father makes this request, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” Jn. 17:17. Jesus shows us that the word of God is true. The basis of religious truth is not the internet. We must remember that the internet is not a substitute for the Bible. Faith does not come by the internet, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Rom. 10:17. The internet cannot abide in you, “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one” 1 Jn 2:14. We are not born again by the internet, “having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,” 1Pe 1:23.” The love of God is not perfected through the internet, “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him” 1 Jn 2:5. The world was not framed by the web, “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God,” Heb. 11:3.
Brenda Brasher who is a Theology and Philosophy professor wrote, “One of the best kept secrets of cyberspace is the surprising amount of religious practice that takes place there. Many of the websites function as temples and churches.” The computer has become for many a new church. Have we forgotten about the physical aspect of worship? The fellowship (Acts 2:42), the communion (1 Cor. 11:18-20), our singing together (Eph. 5:19), and the actual physical contact of shaking hands (Gal. 2:9), and hugs (Rom. 16:16).
The Bible teaches us that Jesus went about doing good things. The greatest good can be done only through personal contact. One on one communication is still the best approach in outreach. No doubt the internet can be used for good religious purposes; it does not and will never replace the great commission.
Matt. 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
Terry Jackson