How can I tell my friends about Jesus?
We’ve looked at the passage that says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Some of you are thinking, “Aren’t people who don’t trust Jesus fools? So shouldn’t we avoid them?” The answer is “Yes” and “No.” (Is that clear?) Sure, those who haven’t trusted in Christ are foolish. They need to wake up! But how will they wake up if we aren’t there to wake them? Jesus was a friend to the sinners of His day, the hated tax gatherers and the prostitutes, the lepers and the foreigners. Matthew tells us about a party Jesus went to so He could get to know people. And I have the sneaking suspicion that the people there really liked Him!
Some of us have close friends who aren’t believers. Don’t desert them. Keep them as friends, but be careful that you don’t let their foolishness or evil drag you down. Be wise, be alert, make good decisions about how much time you spend with them and what you do together. You certainly won’t want to do everything they do! That’s okay. Jesus didn’t do everything other people did, but He loved them enough to be their friend.
Pray for these people. Invite them to your youth group or church or a Christian concert. . . or to see me! Remember that it is our job to speak the truth in love to these folks, and it is God’s job to open their hearts to the gospel. Some may say, “Thanks for telling me about Jesus. I want to know Him, too,” but some will say, “Hey, that Jesus stuff isn’t for me. And I wish you wouldn’t talk about that anymore to me.” That’s their choice. Pray for them. Love them. Speak the truth to them. And let them decide. But don’t let them get you to do things that don’t honor God. Be strong as you love them for Jesus’ sake.
