Christians and Friendships

[apperkins]

I have just joined this forum and this is my first post. I look forward to reading your responses. I am a Christian, but many of my friends are non-Christians. Right now I am going through a debate with myself about having friends which are non-Christians. I know Jesus associated Himself with non-Christians, but He is so much stronger than I am. I know I should love everyone, even if I don't like them or like the way they act, but should I keep close friendships with people like that? One of my closest friends is a non-believer and he thinks that Christianity is just a fad with me... That I will not care in several years. I am traveling with Him this winter break and I will have to say, "no" to a lot of parties and other unholy situations. Should I keep friends that close to me that live un-Godly lives? Please pray for me.

 

[wannabeadesigirl]

How long have you been a Christian? Jesus is so much stronger than even the oldest Christian in history. Your frustration is one felt by Christians everywhere.

Jesus knew something that we as humans often forget: We are fallible. We make mistakes because of our sin nature. Remember that God loves you and your friends despite the mistakes you all make, and remembering that might help you love others despite your dislike for them

If you plan on remaining close to your friends spend time with God everyday. That's something Jesus did, and remember he had to say no to alot of things too, and it was that constant connection with God that made him strong. Remind your friends gently and lovingly that you don't think Christianity is a fad with you.

I will of course pray for you. God bless you on your walk with him.

 

[Jessica Lauren]

Continue to be friends with them. Maybe one day they'll love what they see and possibly become a Christian. You never know. . . plus, as you said, Jesus did it!

However, if they cause you to stray and do wrong things, maybe pull away a little bit. Prayers are with you . . .

 

[Ave Maria]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being friends with non-Christians. Personally, I am friends with an Agnostic Theist who happens to be sympathetic to the Christian world view. He happens to be my best friend too. Anyway, if you think that it is wrong to be friends with non-Christians, I challenge you to provide a verse from scripture that condemns such friendships.

 

[Antje]

I think this is a matter that depends on who is "weaker" or "stronger" in the faith. If you are weak and unable to resist the temptations that these friends may bring into your life, then perhaps you need to rethink how close you want to remain. If you are strong and these friends pose no threat to your spiritual well-being, then I urge you to welcome them as friends, as partners in dialogue, as challengers and refiners of your faith, and as dear friends. One of my best friends in the world is a Muslim, and I cherish her friendship dearly. I also spend much of my summer with non-Christian "party hard" type people from my ultimate frisbee team. I look forward to summers so I can spend more time with them! They are great people, even if their language is foul, they drink to excess, and have premarital sex. I love them!

I hope that if you are not strong enough for this right now, that you will strive to grow in strength so that you will be able to reap the benefits of friendships with those who are different than yourself.

Oh, and even if you feel you need to limit your time with these people, whatever you do, DO NOT announce to them that they are sinners and will be pulling you away from Jesus. You don't want to sound like you're too holy for them or anything, that would just be terrible.

 

[JamesKurtovich]

Keep your friendships and pray that the Holy Spirit makes your seeds grow. My best friend is an atheist (but believes in a global deity of sorts) and I am always engaging in debate with him so that he might begin to see it from a clearer perspective.

 

[Zaac]

I have just joined this forum and this is my first post. I look forward to reading your responses. I am a Christian, but many of my friends are non-Christians. Right now I am going through a debate with myself about having friends which are non-Christians. I know Jesus associated Himself with non-Christians, but He is so much stronger than I am. I know I should love everyone, even if I don't like them or like the way they act, but should I keep close friendships with people like that? One of my closest friends is a non-believer and he thinks that Christianity is just a fad with me... That I will not care in several years. I am traveling with Him this winter break and I will have to say, "no" to a lot of parties and other unholy situations. Should I keep friends that close to me that live un-Godly lives? Please pray for me.

apperkins, the Bible says 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 1 Peter 4:3-5

God knows us and our propensity for sin. Until you are strong enough to let Christ say NO for you, don't place yourself in a situation where you do not have the good fortune of having another brother or sister in Christ who can hold you accountable.

Yes we are not to be yoked to unbelievers. The sole purpose of befriending nonBelievers is for the purpose of witnessing Christ as exampled by Christ in His relationships with the tax collector and others who were lost.

9I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 1 Cor. 5:9-10

We have to associate with those who are lost for there is no other way to witness to them. But as was said, do not place yourself in vulnerable situations where you might be led to stumble and risk losing your ability to witness to that lost friend.

 

[JamesKurtovich]

I believe it's also important to not do things that would make your friends stumble or get the wrong impression. For example, a Christian can, say, drink a glass of wine if they so please... but a nonbeliever might get the impression that either that person is a hypocrite or that he can be a drunkard and Christian if he converted (if that nonbeliever is letting his worldly lusts get in his way of salvation).

 

[Zaac]

I believe it's also important to not do things that would make your friends stumble or get the wrong impression. For example, a Christian can, say, drink a glass of wine if they so please... but a nonbeliever might get the impression that either that person is a hypocrite or that he can be a drunkard and Christian if he converted (if that nonbeliever is letting his worldly lusts get in his way of salvation).

Precisely James. That's why our nonBeliever relationships HAVE to be about RIGHTLY witnessing Jesus Christ. When we forget this, we end up doing things that place us in a position to not be able to effectively witness to the nonBeliever.

 

[billwald]

You will find that every religion and human organization has decent people and nasty people.

 

[[-[Searching]-]]

I think you should stay friends. Whilst having Christian friends is awesome havig non-christian friends can also help remind you of the difference. Dont be afraid. You are Jesus' and as you said, he is much stronger than you are, he will help you in all your difficulties.

 

[JCFantasy23]

I would never dissociate with my friends or family because they were of different religious orientation. My best friend of over 10 year has been a Christian for maybe 8 years, but to me she is dwindling in her faith. my other best friends are a married couple - she is a Wiccan and he is against any religion. My other best friends are another married couple, both Christians. We are all close and our religions do not get in the way, in other words, we don't sit there trying to influence each other or put each other down, etc