Introduction: After being saved, one of the biggest drawbacks to new converts is handling "Old Friendships" When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, all things change, you are a "new creature", a new being! Jesus Christ does these things "for" you. But there are things "you" must do for yourself.
What you do is not part of your Salvation, but what you do, or fail to do will greatly effect your "walk" as a Christian and whether or not you will "keep the faith." You must "put off" and lay aside many of your former sinful habits, foul language, manner of appearance, and yes, Friendships.Show me a new convert who doesn't change their "lifestyle", and I will show you one who will eventually be back in sin.
(1) What Is A True Friend? ( Websters: "One who is fond of you, a supporter, a sympathizer)
(A) The New Testament uses two words for Friend: (1) Peitho; One you have confidence in, confide in, you agree with. (2) Philos: One thats very dear, very fond, (Christ to Sinners)
(B) Friendships as we think of, are not emphasized in the Bible for a Christian. There is a new relationship that takes its place once you are saved.
(2) Before Turning To Jesus, Friendships (Peitho) Were Needed, But When Christians Try To Keep This Same Realationship With The Unsaved, Trouble Arises.
Please Note: I do not mean that you are to be "rude" to unsaved friends, but that same close relationship must change. You still love them, but your "aim" toward them has changed. You are to still befriend them with the purpose of seeing them saved.
Relate Story: Cornelius invited Peter to preach at his house. He "Called together his Kinsmen and near Friends". (Acts 10:24)
(3) After Turning To Jesus. The Bible Emphasizes A New Relationship.
* Mark 10:29-30 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
(A) Paul taught young Timothy: 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.
Jesus is the one we trust , agree with, confide in, follow. as our example !
(4) What Does The Bible Say About "Worldly" Friendships ?
* James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
* 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
* Unbelievers: Those with a Christian faith, faithless
* Fellowship: To share or participate with, be a partaker with, belong to.
* Communion: A sharer, companionship, friendshhip
(A) This not only applies to marriage, but includes all relationships controled by the world.
(B) Why won't it work ? They have different morals, standards, and views are opposite of Spiritual matters.
(C) By participating in things they do, you will not pull them "up", they will pull you "down" ! You are on their ground, they have the leverage. (Example)
* 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
* Communications: (Gr. homilia: means Companionship, Friendships)
* Manners: (Gr. ethos: means moral habits )
(D) Joining with the unsaved in their habits will destroy your witness. Even in their eyes they will loose confidence in you. They are looking for a difference, but will see none !
(5) Your Relationship With God Will Never Grow. You Are Torn, Battle Trying To Keep The Same Old Friendship Alive As Before.
(A) Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
(1) It is a disgrace for a Christian to seek the council (advice) of an unsaved friend.
(2) Why do you seek their advice, when they will not listen to your council ?
(3) God's will would not be considered. Other "friends" will join with them until you are moved away from your Christian convictions and standards.
(B) Blessed is the man that standeth not in the "way" of sinners. (Way: Road, course of life)
(1) Your destinations are different, therefore your "way" cannot be the same.
(2) Many places they go, activities they participate in, you cannot go !
(C) Blessed is the man that does not sit with the "scornful" ( To mock, scoff at, ridicule)
(1) They will ridicule, make jokes about you as a Christian if you join them.
(2) Why do you still feel obligated to a so called "friend" who would do that ?
(6) You Still Care About Them, But You Feel Uncomfortable, What Should I Do ?
(A) Tell them you are a Christian, you love them, but you cannot follow the "old" way of life.
(B) Serve the Lord faithfully before them. Let them "see" the change in your life.
(C) They will do the choosing. They will either want what you have, or "they" will break away the so called "friendship" that existed. If they were a "true" friend they will have respect for you
(7) There Is A Friendship In The Church That Is Deeper Than With Sinner Friends.
(A) When we learn the proper relationship with "friends" in the world, and "learn" how to lean on Jesus as our "best friend" and learn to fellowship with those in church as our Brothers, Sisters, Fathers, and Mothers, we will experience what true friendship is all about.
(B) Don't be bound by the struggle to make old friends "like" you. Don't struggle with a "friend" that would rather you go to hell with them than see you saved.
(C) God will help you and give you strength, but You are the one that must make the choice to "put off" the old ways and "put on" the new!
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