But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. (
1 Peter 4:5)
Some of you have discovered that your close friends have changed now that you’re in Christ. Regarding that, let me first warn you, and then I want to commend you.
First, I want to warn you about spending all of your time with Christians. If your entire circle of friends and acquaintances is nothing but Christian people, you will really get idealistic and unrealistic about the world. You really will get weird! Furthermore, how are the lost going to hear the gospel if all the saved stay clustered sipping their 7-Ups and reviewing Bible verses together? We need to guard against our tendency to be with believers exclusively. The lost, deep down, are curious . . . and we need to be nearby when they start asking questions.
Second, I commend you for changing your cycle of close friends. Some of your former friends do you no good, especially if you cannot withstand the lifestyle temptations they bring your way. Most people who fall into gross sensuality do not do it alone. They’re usually prompted or encouraged by other people. You need to be wise and tactful about it . . . but before long, your change in lifestyle needs to be communicated.
There’s a line in a country-western song sung by Alabama, “I’m Not That Way Anymore,” that says it well: “Time has closed yesterday’s door.”
That’s the way it is with Christians. You’re not like that anymore. The fact is, my friend, Christ has closed yesterday’s door. The way you are is different from the way you were. You won’t be able to hide it . . . nor should you want to. Hopefully, however, you’ll become a magnet of understanding, drawing others to the Savior rather than, as an offensive porcupine, driving them away.
Ideally, we want to be a fragrant aroma of Christ, winsomely attracting the unsaved to Jesus, the Savior.
