Battles are fought every day on the Internet over the searching soul. Akin to everyday life, “the net” presents snares that can beguile both truth seeker and true believer. It can be a valuable Bible study tool to the student or a stumbling stone to the careless. To those who are evangelistically minded, the net presents a unique opportunity to share the Person of Christ.
Unlike the printed page, the internet provides a relatively easy and inexpensive way for one to publish and disseminate information to a broad audience. Accordingly, many are taking advantage of this medium to reach and encourage others.
Many versions of the Bible as well as a wide assortment of classic Christian literature are readily available free of charge. Likewise, websites that present a clear gospel message abound. As Christians, we ought to consider the internet as a means to reach others with the gospel of Christ.
In the United States alone, it is estimated that 84 million people have access to the Internet and that 64 million use it regularly (Mediamark Research). The numbers are even more staggering in other countries. By the end of the year, it is projected that 327 million people around the world will be ‘online’ (Computer Industry Almanac). What an enormous opportunity we have as Christians to reach the lost! A giant mission field awaits those who are willing to invest, from the comfort of their own homes, a little time and effort to learn this enabling technology. The timid, the bold, and the shut-in can all enjoy the benefits of this new opportunity to minister.
There are many ways to communicate the gospel in this vast and virtual world. A most effective yet neglected means to reach the lost on the net is through personal testimony. We often envision net evangelism as joining an atheist chat room and ramping up for a spirited dialog. While this is altogether fine it is often difficult to find prepared and serious souls. Many are there to encourage debate for its sake and satisfaction and it is easy to be sidetracked with superfluous issues. A simple testimony presented on a single a web page, however, can declare the gospel truth in a straightforward yet personal way.
One might ask, “Who would care to find me, let alone my testimony in this vast expanse?” If a web page exists long enough, a search engine will eventually find and index it, especially if it is linked to other websites with similar content. As a result, a net searcher might stumble across your page or find it through a link in another page. This, while encouraging, is not the most efficient way to reach the lost.
Just as in the real world, relationships provide a natural in for the Christian. Hence, provide a link to your testimony on every email. Every acquaintance, colleague, friend or family member will have an opportunity to click and read about Christ’s impact in your life. The incorruptible Seed will do the work that we can’t while fishing for souls on the net.
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth” (Col.1:5-6).