Social Faith
By Pastor John Mateos Ong
Social media nowadays is so rampant. It has become a part of your life. And sometimes, your virtual life has become more important than your real life. The minute you wake up, the first thing you do is check your phone to see if anybody message you while you were asleep. During the pandemic, almost everything was done online. For some, it is still the same. Since they have tasted the comfort of the latter, they let it remain that way. But is online really ok?
Because of the digital world, never has man been so connected yet so disconnected. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” The purpose for physical meetings is for others to get encouragement. Life is too hard. We need to be an encouragement to one another. It is important to meet face to face because you need to encourage one another to be strong in the faith. Jesus is coming soon and we want everybody to be with us in heaven.
People who are part of a small group are 5 times more likely to stay in church. 78% grow faster in their faith. 12% of people who are not in an accountability group are more likely to fall into sin compared to 48% who are in a small group. Small group members are 3% more likely to lead others to Jesus. Acts 2:44-47 says, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” The Acts 2 church met everyday and shared everything they had. It was like family. They sincerely loved each other and were happy to be together. There was something in that group that made them meet everyday. You know what it was? They sincerely loved each other. That love is difficult to show if you do not meet physically.
Here are three truths why discipleship and accountability should be done in the real world and not online:
Social media is just a tool. Hebrews 10:25 says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” As much as you can, meet physically to get the real experience.
Discipleship needs the real you. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” God cannot bless the fake you. Your character is formed best with real life inter-actions. It is very easy to pretend and hide the real you online.
Most love languages require presence. When we are together, it is easier to express our love languages. These are the ties that bond us together. Quality time needs shared experiences. Physical touch shows comfort and encouragement. How can you perform acts of service without being present physically? Words of affirmation require tone, warmth and sincerity. Gifts need to be handed personally to be received.
We are made for community. You can hide behind your screen all the time. But how can people encourage you more from there? It is important for everybody to have community. When God made man, He said it is not good for man to be alone. When man is alone, he overthinks and does foolish things. Proverbs 18:1 says, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out agains all sound judgement.” There is no accountability when you are alone. You cannot be discipled by reels, corrected by emojis and restored by comments. Matthew 24:12 says, “Because of the increase in wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Normal people will be satisfied by fake love when time comes. But also, even with our relationship with God, it will also grow cold. You will be satisfied with things that are not of Him. The love for God and other people decreases, your commitment to truth weakens, and discipleship becomes shallow. In Matthew 21:12-13, it says, “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”” Why did Jesus become angry? Not because of the buying and selling of animals. But since the vendors were selling what they could offer at the temple, the people were being robbed of the opportunity to be able to sacrifice. Offerings were supposed to be unblemished and perfect. That’s why those sold at the temple could not be given as sacrifices. They were not taken cared of properly and their unblemished states were not maintained. And only unblemished sacrifices are acceptable to the Lord. These are all shortcuts. And until now, shortcuts are still done. When we meet online, we do a shortcut. That is why we can hide behind the screen to make things faster. Transaction replaced devotion and religion replaced relationships. So even when it comes to spiritual disciplines, shortcuts are made. Bible reading, prayer, worship, fellowship and application are replaced by easier steps. AI generated prayers, answering messages while reading the bible, texting while worshipping, and doom scrolling while talking and fellowshipping with other believers - these are ways in which you shortcut your spiritual disciplines. You only feel like you have transformed. But nothing really changed. God is applauding your great performance. But where is your true worship?
Amos 5:21-23 says, ““I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.” When you listen to harps, it sound soothing to the ears. But in this verse, it is just noise. You have to offer real sacrifices. Show your real self. Do not get used to doing things online all the time. God cannot bless the fake you. If you want to be used in kingdom building someday, be yourself. You are made for community and you need people.
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