Speaking face to face

Technology is increasing at a staggering pace. It is amazing to consider that not so long ago, writing a letter was the only way to communicate over a long distance. Nowadays, we can communicate instantaneously to almost any part of the world by phone or email. In that sense, it is true that the world is 'shrinking'. Barriers to communication are being overcome in new and innovative ways all the time. We read in the book of Daniel that in the latter days 'many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase'. Dan 12:4. This most certainly describes the world today. Technology has helped the cause of the gospel, but we must be careful that it does not replace genuine 'face to face'communication.

Among his closing remarks to the church in Thessalonica, Paul asked them to pray that the word of the Lord would 'spread rapidly and be glorified'. 2 Thess 3:1. The internet has had many disastrous effects on society. But at the same time, it has helped the word of the Lord to spread rapidly. It took the apostle Paul a long time and a lot of effort to travel among the early churches. And when he wrote letters to these churches, he often waited for extended periods before receiving any response. These days, a preacher of the gospel can board a plane and be almost anywhere in the world within twenty-four hours. Sermons and books can be posted on websites and available to everyone within minutes.

All of these developments are extremely positive. They only begin to have a negative effect if they are viewed as a substitute for 'face to face' community and relationship. The apostle John was clear on this point. He had many things to say, but he didn't want to do so with 'paper and ink'. Rather, he desired to come and 'speak face to face'so that their 'joy may be made full'. 2 John 1:12. He wrote similarly in his third letter, 'I hope to come to you and speak face to face'. 3 John 1:14. Some things cannot be done by technology alone. The information can be sent and received but there is no fellowship. There is no relational interaction. Exchanging emails is more personal than posting and retrieving information from a website. And making a phone call is more relational than an email. But when everything is said and done, there is no substitute for speaking 'face to face'. And nor will there ever be.

When Paul was absent from one of the churches for a short while, he wrote that they 'were all the more eager with great desire to see your face'. 1 Thess 2:17. With today's technology, we can receive the word of God from all parts of the world, but there is no substitute for being part of a local church. There are two pillars of the Christian faith - the word and fellowship. The word is the foundation of all Christian relationship. We have no fellowship without the word. The church is much more than 'a club' that is built on common interest. The church is built on the rock; the infallible word of Christ. At the same time, we cannot fulfil His word outside of fellowship. The word of Christ, regardless of how it comes, compels us to join a community of believers. Let us never lose sight of the need to 'speak face to face'.

David Baker

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Feature Articles
May 2009

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