Musing – Can we reclaim true friendships in a Facebook age?

Hebraic Musing – Can we reclaim true friendships in a Facebook age?

I just read that “In this sophisticated age of social networking, when everyone is supposedly ‘connected,’ we are as self-absorbed and isolated as ever. Digital technology has trivialized relationships to the point that we ‘friend’ or ‘unfriend’ a person with a click. You can have 5,000 ‘friends’ and yet be the loneliest person in cyberspace.”

What a contrast to my early Christian days – late 70’s where we joined hands after a meeting and sang   ♫ Bind us together, Lord, bind us together / With cords that cannot be broken / Bind us together, Lord, bind us together / Bind us together with love / There is only one God, there is only one King / There is only one body, that is why we can sing ... ♫

Here is a picture of the friendships that I believe Jesus intended for us.  “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  Every day 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.” Acts 2:42-46  NIV  

Incidentally, what happened as a result of the close, supportive, togetherness and committed friendships?   “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47

What will stand out the most and make the biggest impression on unbelievers?  Not our sermons or church attendance or symbols; but our passionate, sacrificial love for each other.

Hmmm… How do we define and show sacrificial love?  Inviting into your home; confessing your sins; spending time face to face; giving time and whatever to their needs; take off our masks (a tough one!); forgive and mend rifts (not just ‘unfriend’); understand their point of view; break bread together; give;  pray with and for them; ….  

What can we be doing to show more sacrificial love?   Who showed sacrificial love for us?

Points to ponder

What will it take to have Godly fellowship in today’s technological age?

Of all the friends you have on Facebook, how many have you actually spent time with?

How many close friends do you have?

♫ Bind us together, Lord, bind us together,  With cords that cannot be broken ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   July 12, 2016

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage” “Musings - A Victorious Life”  “Musings - The Torah and New Testament”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com