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Young People: Advice from a Friend
(on Internet Friendships and MySpace)
(Editor’s Note: The following is the conclusion to a lengthy study I found on the Internet. This excerpt was filed away some time ago and I recently stumbled across it. I express my regret for failing to document the source or the author.)
In this final segment, I want to speak from my heart to some of my younger brothers and sisters in the Lord. I know that this essay has not been easy for some of you. Admittedly, it has been hard-hitting. I have tried to speak with you as young adults, and not as children who are prone to whining and pouting. I have no doubt that some will be angry with me. When you cool down, however, I want you to think about some things.
It has pained me deeply to discover what is transpiring with some of our Christian youth. As I personally told one young man recently (who has been heavily involved in internet filth), "You have broken my heart." I have agonized over how to handle such matters. Methods are matters of judgment and can be misguided at times, but my heart should never be questioned. My concern is genuine. Let me conclude with this summary.
First, I want you to think about your soul—the value of it, and its eternal destiny somewhere. The Christian life is not a game; it is serious business, and it requires true dedication. There is nothing evil about "fun," but we must be certain we are wholesome. If one is old enough to be a Christian, he is old enough to be lost.
Secondly, how does one define a "friend"? Is a friend one who drags you down to lower levels of spirituality? Can we not recall the words of God’s apostle, "Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33)? Have you ever heard that old saying, "a person is known by the friends he keeps"? Jesus Christ was a "friend of sinners," but he instructed them to abandon their sins; he was not an enabler.
In the third place, we are held accountable. Accountability has to do with how one’s life is judged, as compared with his responsibility. We are accountable to God foremost (Romans 14:12). Do we live, look, and listen so as to please Him? That is not always a matter of easy focus, but at times we cannot but know we’ve gone way over the line. When that is the case, we must turn back to the Lord before "hardness" sets in, and we cease to even care.
We have accountability with reference to our friends. What do you do when you know a "friend" is immoral in words and deeds? Do you simply let him go—with no word of concern for his soul, or with a kindly rebuke for his wretchedness (see Galatians 6:1)?
You have accountability to your parents. Can one continue to fraternize with egregiously worldly people, knowing very well that your godly parents would not approve? Would you encourage Mom or Dad to visit your web page, read your messages, along with those you have classified as your "friends"? If not, why? And why have some, whose web pages have been an "open book" to the entire on-line world, now suddenly have gone "private"? Clearly it is not the world from whose eyes they would escape; it is from Christians who love their souls and are concerned for their welfare. What is wrong with this "picture"?
There is accountability to your congregation’s elders. They must give account for the souls under their oversight. When one knows that members of the flock are deeply involved in sin, your elders must be apprised of such. They cannot address problems of which they have no knowledge. You must help them; such is not being a "snitch"; it is a matter of love.
Further, ministers of Christ are obligated to reprove, rebuke, and exhort their brothers and sisters in God’s family—young or old. The gospel preacher will not permit himself the luxury of being a "pal" to the sinful at the expense of his own soul. God will hold us accountable if we do not warn the erring of their error. The faithful servant of Christ does not want "blood" of others upon his hands (Ezekiel 33:7-9).
Finally, with deepest respect, may I suggest this to parents: you might wish to give consideration as to whether or not you want your child even to be on the MySpace site—as innocent as their communications may be. There are other, safer ways for youngsters to communicate with one another, rather than being only a "click" or two away from a highway of gross corruption.
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