Have you ever gotten one of these:
If you love God…then you will send this email to ten people and God will bless you.
or
Forward this to ten people or God will smite you!
Well, I want to be honest about this and admit in the past I have gotten them and forwarded them. When I did, I did not really think about it much. Did I actually believe what the email said? Not really. Did I think about how someone who did not know God might respond? Nope. Did I even have a feeling or quiet prayer for those whose inboxes I just help fill a little more? Nope.
I truly believe people need a kind word, or a good thought at certain times during the day which is why I might have forwarded someone else’s words and thoughts, and perhaps it did accomplish the task – but I cannot be certain it did. What I am re-evaluating is what was in those emails.
The whole “if you” and “then” part is the most troubling. The formula for our Salvation was planned by God with a great Sacrifice. Who am I to send an email to someone and say because they do not forward something they will be judged or they do not love God – simple, I can’t.
If I think about someone who does not have a relationship with God, and they get these emails, I am pretty sure they will not be a step closer to Him – and it may make them take a step back.
The last thought I had about was the impersonality of clicking forward and just clicking names with little or no thought – spreading the Gospel? Probably not. Sharing the love? Not Really. Spamming? Ummmm.
Jesus died for all us, and I am pretty sure that He does not have to do it again because I did not forward an email to 10 people in 30 seconds.
Scripture says:
2 Corinthians 5:10
New International Version (NIV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
When I have read this verse in the past I said ” Oh boy” – I am in trouble! Luckily with the help of many spiritual partners in my life they reminded me not to take a verse out of context and look at the whole Word of God (++see commentary below).
So I have decided to do something different. If I get that email, I will pray for that person. If I read a comment on a blog or website and they are criticising God, I will pray for them. If someone is on my heart, I will hold them up in prayer or maybe even call them. To me, that will have more impact than a Fwd:Fwd:Fwd:Fwd:Fwd God loves you email.
Thank you Lord for the many avenues of opportunity to share our faith in this modern world, and help us use it as you might to reach those that are lost and those hurting in need.
Blessings,
Bob
DISCLAIMER: I hold no judgement on anyone that has done, is doing, or will do this.
++5:10 Degrees of reward in heaven are taught in this verse. Though Christians have their sins forgiven and will never suffer the punishments of hell Rom. (6:23; 8:1), they will all nonetheless stand before Christ at the Day of Judgment, to receive various degrees of reward for what they have done in this life (Matt. 6:20; Luke 19:11-27; 1 Cor. 3:12-15) This judgment will include a disclosure and evaluation of the motives of our hearts (1 Cor:4-5)
Promised Healing 
Thank you for posting this! I have often thought the same thing, tho I do forward some to those I love!