Serving the High Plains

Be careful what kind of friends you make

That “politics makes strange bedfellows” is certainly true right now in our country with all the turmoil. The problem with strange bedfellows is when they see each other in the morning, they’ll remember being bitter enemies previously. Literally, by the dawn’s early light after our upcoming election, our flag may not still be there. But this article isn’t about politics.

Kentuckians of say, “I’m for the Wildcats and whoever’s playing against Tennessee.” That is, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Kentucky’s next game might be against whoever just played against Tennessee, though. In the movie, “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” the evil Lord Wotton quipped that one cannot be too careful in choosing their enemies.

God also advises us about that: If you’re not his friend, you’re his enemy (Matthew 12:30: Mark 9:38-40). Even those trying to hold a middle ground won’t be accepted because they haven’t taken a stand for him (Revelation 3:14-22).

Jesus’ invitation in Revelation 3:14-22 is to re-enter fallen Christians’ hearts. He originally comes into our hearts when we’re baptized (Galatians 3:26-29: 4:6-7; Acts 2:38-39; John 15:14; 14:15-21). The New Testament says nothing about a prayer of faith for non-Christians to ask Jesus to come into their heart for salvation. Even calling on the name of the Lord happens in Christian baptism because that’s how we appeal to God for a good conscience rather than being a pledge, response or answer of a good conscience (Romans 10:8-13; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21-22; Hebrews 10:22; 9:13-14). Although, when we’re baptized, we also are promising God we’ll keep our conscience clean through Christian living, which includes seeking forgiveness when we do sin (Acts 24:16; 1 Timothy 1:18-19; 1 John 1:5-9; Romans 8:9-16).

About friendships, Christians cannot be “friends” of worldly things or people, including people claiming to be Christians who don’t live accordingly, because to be a “friend” of the world is to be God’s enemy (James 4:4-5; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Corinthians 6:14 to 7:1; Romans 5:8-10; Matthew 6:24; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). Satan is the god of this world and to be considered a common enemy of God and Christians (John 12:31; 1 John 5:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 5:8-11).

While we’re not to be “friends” with the world, we cannot avoid the world, either, because the world is drawn to Christ only by teaching proven by an example of Christian living (1 Corinthians 5:9-13; John 17:13-23; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Romans 10:14-17; 1 Peter 3:15-16). By properly making salvation by the grace of God attractive, we prove we’re his children because we show love for our enemies (Titus 2:1-15; Matthew 5:43-48). We’ll also defeat our greatest enemy, the devil (James 4:6-10).

Are you truly living as God’s child? If not, begin today (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). Otherwise, let’s be very careful who we align ourselves with so America’s flag will continue to fly and Christians won’t be hindered from shining our lights brightly to make more friends (Matthew 5:14-16).

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]

 
 
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