Choose The Right Kind of Friends

“Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). “Do not associate with a man given to anger, or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself” (Proverbs 22:24-25). “If you hear that… some worthless men have gone out from among you and have seduced the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods’… you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city” (Deuteronomy 13:12-15). Remaining faithful is much easier when you associate with others who have similar spiritual goals.

  • Make time for Christians. We are told in Romans 12:10 to give preference to one another and to be devoted to other Christians. Yet I am often very surprised how few people will make the time for potlucks, singings, men’s and women’s classes, and various other social functions. If you are uncomfortable around other Christians, you will have quite a shock when you get to heaven and have to spend eternity with us!
  • Encourage your children to make friends with their peers in the congregation.
  • The harder you try to live righteously, the easier it will be to want to associate with other Christians. Unbelievers will see our lights shining and feel motivated to improve themselves.
  • Do not live in such a way that your worldly friends are surprised by the fact that you are a Christian!
  • Jude even warns us that sinful acquaintances ought to be feared, to a degree (Jude 23).

Love The Church

Instead of being disillusioned with “church” make an effort to really live by 1 Peter 2:17,22, “Honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king… Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.” Rather than thinking the church of Christ is silly, like modernists and denominations do, love it for what it is, the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27), unstained and spotless. The Church is not a building or a denomination, but a collection of saints who stand up for and practice the truth in its entirety. “To love the church is to love those features which make her distinctive. Though mocked by modernists, we love her for standing for the Bible (1 Timothy 3:15). Denominations ridicule the necessity of biblical baptism, but we love the church of Christ for insisting upon it. While many see no authority in the New Testament pattern, we love her emphasis on restoration. It may seem incongruous in a pluralistic society, but we love her conviction that there is one true church. We love the simplicity of worshipping in ‘spirit and truth’. We love the name ‘Christian’ and that we can call Bible things by Bible names. We love the preaching of sound doctrine. In spite of the occasional dismay over uncharitable controversy, we love the fact that the church is ready to challenge every unscriptural idea or practice” (“Love the Church”, David R. Pharr, The Spiritual Sword, April 2000, p. 22).

Take Time To Be Holy

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16). Never underestimate the value of using your time wisely, especially as you continue on this great road to Heaven. Take time to pray, study, be with Christians, and be involved in good works. What else do you have to do in your life that is more important?