The Lost

So today I want to talk about something that may divide some of us.

Who are your friends? Who do you hang out with? I have seen some news and posts about Christians getting some backlash for hanging out or being around people that may not necessarily follow Christ. I am not saying they are bad people, just not Christians. I have even heard that there are some whose family will not talk to them or let them come around because they do not believe in Christ.

This poses the question, as a Christian, should you only be around and associate with other Christians?

Welcome to Soldier for Christ.

Should we as followers of Christ associate with, hang around and even be friends with people who do not believe? It's a yes or no question so let's take a look at both answers.

NO!

Let's say no. No. We should no associate, talk to or be around anyone that does not believe in Christ. What does that day look like? Do you still stop for that cup of coffee? Does the person behind the counter believe? Do you now have to start each and every interaction with a "Do you believe?" How do you get anything done? Can you still go to work? Do you still have all or your friends? Family? You would have to stamp something on your face or ask each person you met if they believed. And then, what if someone saw you talk to them? How would they know what you were talking about. I mean could you imagine the insanity of that?

So now lets say...

YES!

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3 Then Jesus told them this parable:

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders

6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

-Luke 15: 1-7

Jesus himself associated with, hung out with and talked with sinners. He showed us by his example how we should live. Live a life of love for our fellow man. To show others the love that God has for them by showing them that love. God's love flows through us to those we interact with. If we were to avoid everyone that did not believe then what would that say about Jesus.

Jesus knew that in order to save others, you must love others.

Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” -Mark 2:17

I have a good friend that has chosen not to believe in God. It is my prayer that showing my love and support to this person and by ministering in a caring way he can see the Love of Christ through me.

You may also not know that the music for this show was written and performed by another person that I consider a friend that is an atheist. Both of these people are good people. Decent and upstanding. It is my job to love them as God loved me, period. It is not our job to save people, we can't save people. Only Jesus can do that. It is our job as commanded by Jesus to love as we have been loved. You cannot do that if you avoid people.

Press on. Fight the good fight. As a Soldier for Christ.