Communication
We live in the most amazing time of all history. Technology and science are more advanced than ever. From deep space exploration to understanding the most finite workings of the human body. And communications. From cell phones to emails, texts, tweets & Facebook. The list goes on and on.
But how does God view all this in light of such texts as Matthew 18:15?
Conflict resolution is a very difficult issue for most of us. Its taught at The Colony of Mercy to every man in the program and encouraged as THE way to deal with personnel problems. But where has technology taken us and how do we “miss” what God intended for His people?
Look at the passage—“go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Go and tell him—not text, not tweet, not email—not even call on the phone—go to him. We need to really consider this with the understanding that God is timeless—he knew that these forms of communication would someday arrive and yet he made it very clear how He wants us to deal with interpersonal issues—face to face. We don’t have the latitude to “modernize” the Scriptures to fit our weaknesses. A text is so much easier to do because we don’t have to face the person we are “concerned” for. But God wants no breakdown in communication. Electronic communications are flat, one dimensional and open to interpretation. When I see a person’s face, I can much better understand what he is communicating and the heart behind that communication. I can also answer any concerns immediately rather than sit and stew over them making something out of nothing.
In Genesis 3:8- we see that God was in the garden face to face with Adam & Eve. Before the fall, God set the example of how He wanted communication to take place—in person. God of all creation came down from His most high place to speak with man one on one—the exact same way He wants us to communicate especially when we are concerned for each other.
One last thought—“go and tell him his fault between you and him alone”. Our goal is restoration and forgiveness in the Matthew 18:15 process. If we use electronic communications, everything is “in the cloud” and “recorded” forever & everyone. Ps 103:12 says God will remove our transgressions as far as the east is from the west. How can this happen for us as people if we put private matters out there for the whole world to see & as a continuing reminder to those we address? We need to stop making excuses and communicate the way God has called us to. –Steve Schmidt is a regular Freedom Fighter blogger and a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. He also serves on the full-time staff of America’s Keswick
Daily Bible Reading: Habakkuk 1-3; Colossians 3
Quote of the day: The heart of man is revealed in temptation. Man knows his sin, which without temptation he could never have known; for in temptation man knows on what he has set his heart. The coming to light of sin is the work of the accuser, who thereby thinks to have won the victory. But it is sin which is become manifest which can be known, and therefore forgiven. Thus the manifestation of sin belongs to the salvation plan of God with man, and Satan must serve this plan. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Verse to Memorize: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
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