WHAT THE EDITOR IS THINKING:

By Floyd Allen, Editor
GOD’S GOOD NEWS GAZETTE

Now, I’m not going to say that you will be able to find anywhere in THE BIBLE where it says, “Thou Shalt Not Text.” However, there are some prettttttt-yyyy interesting verses that would tend to lead us away from using our phones to communicate via the written word.

        I realize you are undoubtedly thinking, “Floyder, why the smash would God care if we Text or not?” Well, that is a legitimate question, so let’s take a quick look at a couple of verses and go from there:

• Psalm 16:11 – You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
• John 15:11 – “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
• John 17:13 – But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.
• II John 1:12 – “Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”

There are two recurring themes here: Fullness of Joy and being together in person, as indicated by the highlighted parts above. If there is one thing that the COVID – 19 Quarantine proved is that we cannot realize “Fullness of Joy” unless we can be with other people!

While Texting is a wonderful thing, and, yes, I use it nearly constantly, we must never allow it to take the place of meeting together and sharing each other in every way possible! That’s why Paul told us in Hebrews 10:25 – Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. So, Text when you must, but know that it will never take the place of getting together with others if you want to realize the Fullness of Joy!