Praise & Pray

As Christians, we often have this idea that we need to shun unbelievers because they are not Christians like us. On some level, the reasoning makes sense. The belief is that someone who hasn't submitted to Jesus will more than likely cause the believer to backslide, even if not on purpose. There is a concern that the believer will no longer be sensitive to sin, but blind to it, and begin to compromise if they spend too much time with unbelievers.

From this perspective, befriending an unbeliever is dangerous and should certainly be avoided for those who are not yet well-rooted in the faith. It should also not be the pathway of choice when the Holy Spirit does not place it on a person's heart to go that route. This is especially important to note because those who hear from and obey the Spirit of God are the children of God (Romans 8:14).

Still, believers shouldn't look down upon or judge such unbelievers. We must remember that Jesus befriended sinners. He was criticized by the Pharisees for eating at the house of Zacchaeus, a tax collector (Luke 19). Instead, He rebuked His critics, pointed out their hypocrisy, highlighted their pride, and warned them that they were more like satan than the God they claimed to believe in.

Jesus was also friendly with and refused to judge those considered fornicators and adulterers, think of the woman who was going to be stoned for sleeping with a man who wasn't her husband (John 8). Or Photine, the Samaritan woman He met at the well, who'd had five 'husbands' (John 4). Even His disciples were shocked that He would speak with a Samaritan as they were despised and considered unclean.

But all of this was for a purpose. It wasn't to validate or excuse their sin. Instead it was to show that their sinful ways did not determine their future. He let them know that God wanted them and loved them still. He told them to repent and choose God's way so that their story could be rewritten just as his ancestor Rahab's story was transformed when she chose the Lord.

It is easy to forget these aspects of Christ's ministry in this day and age but we mustn't. Jesus Himself called a sinner His friend. In Luke 5, a paralyzed man was brought to Him by a group of friends who tore open a roof to get their buddy before the Savior. Luke 5:2 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” He identified sin as the source of the man's problems and yet, called him "friend" as He showed him compassion.

We have to remember this as we think about unbelievers. If Jesus could look upon sinners and show them kindness and compassion, what more we? The Bible makes it clear that God's love was the key. John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jesus loved all whom God created despite their sinful ways. That love spurred Him to be selfless and sacrifice His life for each one of them.

This is why we are told in Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus died at Calvary for His friends who also happened to be sinners in need of a means to be restored and sanctified. When we keep this in mind we remember that God loves us all and our attitude toward unbelievers has to shift. We have to see them with the compassion, grace, and love God sees us.

So, the question is no longer whether or not a believer should befriend an unbeliever but how should a believer show the love of Christ to unbelievers? At the very least, praying for people to know Jesus is a great starting point. Since we have seen the effect Jesus has had in our lives to solve problems and bring us successes, then we must call on Him to have a similar effect on others. That won't be a problem for Him because He died for them too.

Let us not look down on others but remember that everyone is on their journey to becoming who God is building them to be. Not everyone will be successful. So, let us not judge, so we won't be judged (Matthew 7:1). And instead, let us pray for people and ourselves to make it to heaven. We are no better than anyone else as Christians, we're just beneficiaries of God's grace, Christ's love, and the commitment of God's Spirit to get us to heaven. We should be grateful He chose to befriend us.

Give your life to Christ with the Altar Call below and learn more about today's topic from the following previous P&P messages:

1. Are You Any Better

2. Beware of Partiality

3. Blindness

4. Blindspots

5. Does God Expect Perfection?

6. What Would God See When He Looks At Your Heart?

7. Why Did You Choose God?

8. Your Sin Isn't Better

9. Don't Backslide

10. The Process Of Becoming

11. Topic: Compassion

12. Topic: Dear Christians

13. Topic: From your Before Christ days to your After Christ Era...that Born Again life

14. Topic: God's Love

15. Topic: Repent

16. Topic: Sin