Allow me to remind you that according to some Google data, there are 5.19 million internet users today. That includes a staggering 2,9 million humans on Facebook and 2,7 million citizens on Youtube. That, at least in my mind, presents to us a vast opportunity to engage all those souls, with the knowledge of our great Saviour – simultaneously and from the comforts of our homes. Just the mere thought of this idea so thrills my heart that I can’t help but thank the Lord that I was born in this generation.
Just about a 100 years ago, it cost a lot of time, distance and energy just to get the Gospel across town. Let’s imagine, for example, someone like Apostle Paul, who according to his own words was “on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure” – all that so he could get the Gospel out.
Today however, this same Gospel can easily reach the remotest part of the world through radios, TV, Youtube, Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, Bible apps, blogs, podcasts and whatever else that technology can provide.
Now let’s address my heartfelt concern, that is, we are not taking advantage of these media platforms. Instead, it’s the world that is dominating and producing worldly content while the Redeemed of the Lord watch in silence, even more, it’s us Christians who are consuming and supporting worldly causes that are designed to mock Jesus and to harm the wellbeing of our children. Those with pro-Christian platforms that are trying to advance godly causes suffer without support from fellow brethren, who would rather spend their time and money supporting those who do worldly things. It bothers me so much that the best movies, music, books and video content are made exclusively by unbelievers, while the Christian community, a people who boast of possessing godly knowledge and wisdom hardly ever produce anything worthwhile in these areas. According to the Prime Christian News website, only 2 out of 10 believers share their faith on social media. That means 80% of Christ’s sheep are those who do not care, one bit, about witnessing for our Lord online. Are you, my reader, one of them? Something has to change!
For the second time I ask, why are you silent on your social media platform? Why are you not engaging those lost souls with Biblical content? One thing we perhaps are not aware of is that everything and everyone in this world is preaching a certain message to us. For example, if you were to watch some TV soapie/drama on your television channel, you will notice that they are sending out a message (preaching) to their viewers that violence, lying and cheating is okay. Hence many watch those things while taking in those messages into their subconscious minds, and when opportunity and desire present themselves, they also apply those things to their lives. When you log into Facebook, you will meet a lot of content from everywhere, all telling you (preaching) something. Do you see? Therefore, it is critical that believers also preach (send a Biblical message) by every means possible, especially media technology.
The people of Thessalonica, says the books of Acts, were heard saying, “These men who have turned the world upside-down have come here also” I have no option but to meditate on those two words, “world” and “upside-down”. It means a place where worldly ideas and philosophies were dominant got overturned and replaced by the doctrine of the Christian faith. How encouraging is that?! It is possible, my dear ones, to turn this evil world into a worship service, but not until we start confronting and invading that worldly sphere with the truth. Now let me also clarify this, much of what is called Christianity online today is laden with false prophets, prosperity teachers and motivational speakers. That is not Biblical Christianity at all because such seeks to appease the same worldly people through false promises in the Name of Jesus. What we need; what is greatly lacking is good doctrine that comes from a rich Biblical explanation and teaching. That old-fashioned Gospel that – as Spurgeon said – enables men and women to face death without fear. We need to re-introduce that and invade the online territory until they are overwhelmed by us.
Sometimes I get really annoyed with those Believers whose mission is to produce Youtube content exposing false prophets and everything else that is wrong in the Body of Christ, while in turn offering nothing in the way of teaching and sound doctrine. Indeed, we must expose deceivers, we must point out the wrong, yet if we don’t point people to what is right, if we don’t labour to open our Bibles and teach the truth, it’s all a sounding brass and a clanging cymbal.
Most believers are gifted and quite mature in their Christian knowledge, yet they have no opportunity to express their gifts through their local churches for various reasons. Media technology, therefore, is the mission field, I mean, it provides an open platform for some of us to exercise our gifts to the glory of Christ and the salvation of souls. Decades ago, the only option for a gifted believer was to start a church, regardless of whether the individual was called to Pastoral work or not. These days, however, thanks to modern gadgets, we can preach the Gospel and fully serve our Lord without being Pastors, but through these media platforms. Someone advised me that whenever you upload something online, it will stay there, and continue to speak on your behalf, even 30 years after you have died. Not only can we send out Biblical content through media, but we can also get and learn good doctrine that is available on these platforms. “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!” (Rom 11:33).
Here are my closing remarks: I encourage my fellow bretheren; please make full use of that Whatsapp account. I mean raise your Facebook account from the dead and let the light of Christ shine through everyone connected to you. “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” - Mark 8:38
Sinothi Ncube
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