“When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed.” Acts 17: 32-34

Here’s a link to the entire passage!

There’s so much going on in our world today, and hot topics range from war to immigration, identity to freedom of speech.  These issues are discussed in all sorts of places online, from websites and forums to Facebook and chat apps.  And I made a terrible mistake this week. I started debating anonymous people in the comments section of a news article.  I soon found myself engaged in a way that clearly showed I didn’t log in with my Christian identity.  

When Paul is in Athens, he becomes the center of controversy.  But Paul’s response to the people of Athens is different from what we commonly see on the Internet.  He didn’t seek to attack, condemn, or bully the people in Athens over their worship of false gods.  Instead, he found common ground. “I see that in every way you are very religious,” he begins.  Paul uses a very logical argument to connect them to the good news of God through common experiences.  

Paul’s foundation is in Jesus.  He knows people in Athens are going to hold beliefs different than his.  But God sent him to Athens to connect with those people, to treat them as neighbors, and to bring them closer to him.  Some people laughed at him, convinced he was a fool.   But he had tapped into enough of a connection that some people wanted to hear more, while a few believed and became followers of Jesus.

Paul is demonstrating the teachings of Jesus through his interactions.  We are called to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.  And Jesus made it clear that everyone is our neighbor.  Today’s technology allows me to be part of many different communities online. And even online, Jesus calls me to find common ground where I can bring people closer to him.  

Some may sneer at my foundation in Jesus.  Others might politely disagree. But others might find something good sparked in their own heart.  I might even serve as a reminder to other Christians that if Jesus was on the computer next to me, he might be typing, “Love everyone as a neighbor. Yes, that includes people on the Internet.”

Paul traveled the wide world. We travel the world wide web.  But we can’t connect online while disconnecting our identity in Jesus.  As you engage online this week, before you post that comment or reply to a tweet, remind yourself that you’re interacting with a neighbor, whom Jesus calls us to love.