Brother I think you have a lot of ideas that need to be separated into their own group for clarification.
I will break these ideas Into two main groups.
Online Interactions
and
Real life interactions.
Online interactions on the internet should be seen primarily as a tool to exchange knowledge.
The internet is not a tool to evangelize because you are missing the kindness acts we would do in real life. You are missing you as a person, with a voice , body language and appearance.
You should see it primarily as a way for you to check if you’ve ever heard of an idea or a Bible interpretation.
This is how i treat the internet.
In this internet community and others I have learned a lot of interesting ideas from the least likely groups sometimes such as Mormons or Calvinists to include a few.
Now I don’t know if they’re Mormons or Calvinists but their language that they use online, lines us with Mormons or Calvinists.
So they have said interpretations which are interesting to look more into and learn.
That’s it. That’s all the internet is good for.
Exchange knowledge and ignore all the things you’ve heard before and forgive anything else.
This was the intent when the internet was invented, to exchange knowledge rapidly, instead of using mail or fax machines.
Real life is different.
You mentioned friends and family.
How do you get them to repent?
This is not easy but at least it’s more clear compared to the internet.
Meaning, in real life you know better where the situation hinges whereas online you don’t know anything about people’s motivations.
They could be trolling, they could be atheists, they could be simply confused, maybe they’re sick? I don’t know.
That’s why judging them seems a bit premature because we don’t and we can’t know anything about people online.
But in real life this is more clear. And when it’s clear and you know then reserve judgment again and try to use Paul’s approach in Greece. This sometimes can take years with family or friends.
I will give you an example with my extended family.
I have many members of the family who don’t believe.
For some you have to wait for an opportunity such as a need, where you can show through your act that you are there to selflessly help them, without saying much, so their hearts can change.
Because they know you believe, they know it, but they just want to see you acting on your beliefs, they don’t want preaching.
Preaching can make them mad.
So sometimes through tears and hugs and sincere talk you can reach a new level of connection with them which can lead them to God.
This is why we need to start by doing first in real life, then talking.
The other side of this coin is that some people will never believe or they may believe at their last moments like the thief in the cross or I don’t know how God’s ways will work on them even when they see the Creation itself which is a miracle.
But we have to make peace with this that we can’t bring everyone to God.
Then there’s also another category of friends and family who are sort of people whose energy you need to stay away from.
Dust the dust off your shoes Jesus said.
You need to be firm and true with these people that their actions might have hurt you, end the relationship, forgive them from the heart because they do not know what they do and move on.
That’s all I can do here and now brother.
I will break these ideas Into two main groups.
Online Interactions
and
Real life interactions.
Online interactions on the internet should be seen primarily as a tool to exchange knowledge.
The internet is not a tool to evangelize because you are missing the kindness acts we would do in real life. You are missing you as a person, with a voice , body language and appearance.
You should see it primarily as a way for you to check if you’ve ever heard of an idea or a Bible interpretation.
This is how i treat the internet.
In this internet community and others I have learned a lot of interesting ideas from the least likely groups sometimes such as Mormons or Calvinists to include a few.
Now I don’t know if they’re Mormons or Calvinists but their language that they use online, lines us with Mormons or Calvinists.
So they have said interpretations which are interesting to look more into and learn.
That’s it. That’s all the internet is good for.
Exchange knowledge and ignore all the things you’ve heard before and forgive anything else.
This was the intent when the internet was invented, to exchange knowledge rapidly, instead of using mail or fax machines.
Real life is different.
You mentioned friends and family.
How do you get them to repent?
This is not easy but at least it’s more clear compared to the internet.
Meaning, in real life you know better where the situation hinges whereas online you don’t know anything about people’s motivations.
They could be trolling, they could be atheists, they could be simply confused, maybe they’re sick? I don’t know.
That’s why judging them seems a bit premature because we don’t and we can’t know anything about people online.
But in real life this is more clear. And when it’s clear and you know then reserve judgment again and try to use Paul’s approach in Greece. This sometimes can take years with family or friends.
I will give you an example with my extended family.
I have many members of the family who don’t believe.
For some you have to wait for an opportunity such as a need, where you can show through your act that you are there to selflessly help them, without saying much, so their hearts can change.
Because they know you believe, they know it, but they just want to see you acting on your beliefs, they don’t want preaching.
Preaching can make them mad.
So sometimes through tears and hugs and sincere talk you can reach a new level of connection with them which can lead them to God.
This is why we need to start by doing first in real life, then talking.
The other side of this coin is that some people will never believe or they may believe at their last moments like the thief in the cross or I don’t know how God’s ways will work on them even when they see the Creation itself which is a miracle.
But we have to make peace with this that we can’t bring everyone to God.
Then there’s also another category of friends and family who are sort of people whose energy you need to stay away from.
Dust the dust off your shoes Jesus said.
You need to be firm and true with these people that their actions might have hurt you, end the relationship, forgive them from the heart because they do not know what they do and move on.
That’s all I can do here and now brother.
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