Anonymous asked:
Lets say, you have a young friend who is in the church, but has been making REALLY bad decisions. And at least from appearance, they are doing so with not a bit of remorse or thought or care. And this friend isn’t even open to being talked to about it or honest, if you try you will get either a laugh or a “it doesn’t matter”. And, you feel both angry and confused because a while ago they showed signs of faith growing, and also sad and scared for them. Whats the godliest way to handle this friend
The godliest way to handle your friend is to handle yourself.
I’m not being cute. Your desire to love on your friend is admirable and noble, but it will quickly become about control and results if your expectations escalate.
No one can ever, ever, ever make someone fall in love with Jesus. You already know that, but because the default mode of our heart is self-righteous pride, we make our influence more sovereign than God. This results in disappointment, frustration, anger, manipulation, pressure, and all around discomfort for both you and your friend.
Of course you have good motives, but they’re buried under a lot of religious standards. You want your friend to repent, to care, to be honest, but even if you held a gun at their head, what will that do? God wants your friend’s repentance more than you do and is endlessly more patient.
Last night I read these verses in 1 Timothy 1 and almost wept, because they described me perfectly:
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
If God has been so patient with us, we better be patient for our friends. Like uber-super ridiculous unreasonably supernaturally patient. That requires tons of prayer, self-examination, and preaching the Gospel to your face like you really mean it. If your friend acts out and you overreact, you better cut the root of your own pride or you’ll hurt the both of you.
Be there for your friend as a friend. Hang out, talk, have wide open arms, laugh together, be understanding, pray, speak the truth but love on them most of all. When your friend hits rock bottom at the end of their sin-season when their soul has been dried up and spent, they will come to you first.
That’s unless you’re the “I-told-you-so” guy, in which case they will go to some depraved source of info to further the sin-spiral. Love this person like God loved you: through every thick and thin, in spite of everything, never condoning but always compassionate.
J.S. Park: Hospital Chaplain, Skeptical Christian 
Good words here. Thanky you. Truly, no one can make another fall in love with Christ and maybe that’s because it really is the wrong approach. With me, although I stumbled upon the undefineable love displayed for all at Calvary, it was more awe and the pure wonder that God that would sacrifice himself for me and the rest of us sinners! Still, as I continue to journey towards Truth, my vices and bad choices have been victimized and “put at bay” by coming to the realization that Christ outloves all my vices and bad choices. It is only after coming to this conclusion of the heart (not mind) did I truly begin to fall beyond awe and wonder and into love with Jesus.
He lives,
Chris
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Amen to that brother.
I haven’t always been great at approaching “prodigals” since I tend to go through the typical motions of control issues. I’m still learning the God-is-patient-so-you-be-too, which is infinitely harder than it sounds. Fortunately we have an infinitely powerful God who empowers.
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True dat! An infinitely powerful, patient God who out-loves all our vices. Keep writing bro. Shine on! Chris
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Liked this a lot! Completely guilty of this as well. It is hard to remember sometimes that we are called to plant seeds, and it is the Holy Spirit that makes people grow in their relationship with Christ. All to often we like to control the whole outcome. And all to often we start treating our friends and family as ‘jobs’ instead of who they are. The only thing we can do is pray for them, and be an example to them. Through your actions, inspire them to come closer to Christ.
Great post! God Bless!
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Thank you brother! Great blog and look forward to reading and hearing more from you.
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