Friends


I have a number of friends who are not Christian.  It is a fact that makes me very sad, for they seem to have to contend with a lot of worry, shame, anxiety, and grief that I no longer have.  

And even though I myself am STILL working to try to live righteously and often make mistakes, sometimes being around these people means I am present as they say or do things that are decidedly UN-CHRISTIAN.  

So what is a girl to do?

Well - first - and my church has it sooo right here, we must love them.  Love them through all of their flaws, and weaknesses, and sins.  For that is the way God wants us to love.  That is the way He loves us. 

"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19

Without love we cannot speak into their lives at all - without love we are but a "clashing gong or clanging symbol". (1 Corinthians 13:1)

Next, we must strive to live differently, in such a way so as to make them take notice.

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.  Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for faith of the gospel." - Philippians 1:27

What does that look like?  Well, I think it would start with a full measure of the "fruits of the spirit" - LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS and SELF CONTROL.  

These are the things that are lacking in this world, these are the things the world desperately needs, and these are the things that should set Christians apart.

Then, I would remember that it is not our job to "convince" our friends about God or the gospel, but rather only to share it.  God is the one who calls people to himself.  He is the one who decides when people are ready.  He is the one who puts eternity into their hearts.  

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." - Mark 16:15

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day." - John 6:44

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart...." - Ecclesiastes 3:11

Finally - share your story.  Friends must understand that EVERY SAINT HAS A PAST, and EVERY SINNER HAS A FUTURE.  Then do not stop praying for them.  

"Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

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