Should Christians be true friends with non-Christians?

[JoJo]

Danielle, I can tell you have conflicting emotions over this. On the one hand, you have chosen a godparent you respect and are close to and want to honor the relationship by choosing him as a godfather. On the other hand, you know the importance of raising children to know Christ and might prefer a Christlike godparent.

Perhaps this very predicament is a good example of what led God to teach us not to be yoked with (closely associated with or bound to) unbelievers.

 

[LostSoul]

Danielle, I can tell you have conflicting emotions over this. On the one hand, you have chosen a godparent you respect and are close to and want to honor the relationship by choosing him as a godfather. On the other hand, you know the importance of raising children to know Christ and might prefer a Christlike godparent.

Perhaps this very predicament is a good example of what led God to teach us not to be yoked with (closely associated with or bound to) unbelievers.

The conflict is not at all in that. The conflict is in...am I going to be judged by fellow believers who are no less sinful than myself or the child's godfather? This is something that I am seeing a lot here lately and I will not lie...is proving rather discouraging. For unfortunately most of the family I have is a bunch of well off people who feel they are better than me....and that is not the sort of example I wanted to set for my son. I grew up appreciating what I had. Not feeling like I had to have something better or more money than others to feel good about myself. Jesus was it. That is what I would want for my son along side with some values that sometimes can be hard to find even amongst fellow believers. Those qualities being honesty, and above all else COMPASSION. Yes, regretably his Godfather is not a Christian. But at least he does not go casting stones. Guess my choice of a Godmother would be bad too if she were a lesbian or bi-sexual who believed in Christ huh?

Not so sure I want the answer to that one either....but I really thought Jesus said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Who did Jesus dine with? It was not the most saintly crowd....but the lost sheep who needed Him most. What sort of example are we going to set as believers when we turn away from those who are most likely the ones we need to reach out to?

As I said before...from what I have come to understand, and hopefully God will correct me if I am in fact wrong, but the way in which we are unequally yoked with non-believers does not necessarily have to do with befriending them, but rather allowing them to lead us astray. A good example of this...would be in Solomon in the Old Testament. For was it not his unbelieving wives tendancies to worship other gods that drew him away?

Could be just me....but that is what I believe we as believers are warned against. Is allowing our hearts to wander away from where it should be....on God. I am young...and naive...I know. I have much to learn. So I could very well be wrong here. But it really does pain me how it is so wrong to be anything less than perfect in fellow believer's eyes. Especially those who like me...sin too. Then...guess to each their own.

Seeing as this is a delicate matter for me because some of my own friends and family members are not necessarily believers in Christ, I am going to bow out.

I am truly sorry to any and all I may have upset here....really I am.....

May God Bless You

Danielle

 

[animal]

A person has to be a Christian in order to be Christlike? Jesus wasn't a Christian.

And I have a few very devoted Christian friends. Real Christians. I have a lot of friends who think they're Christians. Anyway, I don't think they have a problem being friends with me. I guess they feel "sorry" for me because I'm not worthy enough for heaven but other than that I'm not much different than them. We get along great. And I'm certainly not pulling them towards any "dark-side" that you guys are associating with nonchristians. Unless you consider honest science to be part of the "dark-side" but they really don't care about that stuff anyway.

 

[Gabe]

Perhaps this very predicament is a good example of what led God to teach us not to be yoked with (closely associated with or bound to) unbelievers.

What about family members who are not Christians. Our parents, siblings and even our children. Are we to not unequally yoke ourselves with them?

from what I have come to understand, and hopefully God will correct me if I am in fact wrong, but the way in which we are unequally yoked with non-believers does not necessarily have to do with befriending them, but rather allowing them to lead us astray.

I agree with this 100%. Of course (if you are easily influenced) you should avoid mixing too much with those who may lead you astray, but I would say that (for many people) a fellow Christian is more likely to do this than a non-believer. As Animal has pointed out; being a non-believer does not necessarily make you a bad influence.

 

[cvdesty]

Be as close to them as you can in the sense of being a witness to them of the power of Jesus Christ; but don't be so close that you would compromise the integrity of your faith by choosing to participate in practices that are contrary to what God would have you to do.

 

[Nick]

Be as close to them as you can in the sense of being a witness to them of the power of Jesus Christ; but don't be so close that you would compromise the integrity of your faith by choosing to participate in practices that are contrary to what God would have you to do.

I reckon that's a pretty good sum-up!

 

[lovely]

I have several friends that I have grown up with who are not believers. I love them, and I believe that we have been true friends to one another over the years. When my husband died, two of them were right there doing whatever they could for me, and my little ones, and even encouraging me to rely on my faith through it all. I will never forget that. When we were younger (teenagers), we got it straight right from the start, that I was a believer and that I would naturally talk about God...He's in me. I also honored their desire to not have me be their conscience (and boy did they need one at times), but I have always had an open door to give my opinion and share in picking up the pieces after the mistakes were made. When they have had troubled times, I went to them, and they have even asked me to please pray for them. Of course, they don't have to ask, because as I said, I love them. I have even had opportunities to naturally examply my faith before them, and tell them of answered prayers...they have been happy for me. I am counting on the Lord to save them some day in His time.

Now, I will say this, I have a sister in Christ who I met not too long ago, and I have become close to her and her family very quickly...we are family. Christ is the heart of our friendship, and I can not tell you what a joy and love we have...I am amazed by it, because it's very new to me. I am closer to her than I have ever been to any friend, because the truth resonates with both of us....I am learning, through her, to see my others brothers and sisters this way and it's a huge blessing.

How can people know of our love for one another, and for them, if we do not reach out in real friendship? It is through the building of relationships with those around us that we have an opportunity to truly follow Christ and show His love to others. I want to show others the friendship that Jesus has shown me, and that He has given me with His people...it's so neat, and it would be nice if all I know could be part of it. Just my thoughts, the Lord bless you all.

 

[JoJo]

Danielle, please forgive me if I have led you to feel like I was judging you. That was certainly not my intention at all.

 

[Dave Slayer]

It is true that Jesus hung out more with non Christians than Christians, but Jesus was also perfect so He was able not to give into tempation. We however, are weak. We need to be more careful.

A lot of Christians also make the argument "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone", but the context of that passage isn't referring to selecting Godparents. It seems that Christians get down on themselves because they are not perfect and they still sin. It is true we as Christians sin, but we are no longer lost and we are forgiven of all of our sins. It saddens me that many believers consider themselves lost when in fact they are not lost. We are lost in the sense that we still fall short of the glory of God and we continue to be in need of Jesus, but Jesus doesn't look at us as sinners or lost sheep anymore. We were once lost but now we're found. We are a new creation in Christ.


I am not saying it's neccessarily wrong to have non believers as Godparents, because many of them still hold to high moral standards. As long as they hold to those high standards and won't influence your children to stray from Christ, I suppose that is okay. However if they influence your children to go aganist what the scriptures teach, then that is where I would draw the line. In respect to LostLamb, I hope the Godparents of your children stick to high moral standards.

God Bless!

Dave

 

[Timothy]

It is true that Jesus hung out more with non Christians than Christians, but Jesus was also perfect so He was able not to give into tempation. We however, are weak. We need to be more careful.

A lot of Christians also make the argument "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone", but the context of that passage isn't referring to selecting Godparents. It seems that Christians get down on themselves because they are not perfect and they still sin. It is true we as Christians sin, but we are no longer lost and we are forgiven of all of our sins. It saddens me that many believers consider themselves lost when in fact they are not lost. We are lost in the sense that we still fall short of the glory of God and we continue to be in need of Jesus, but Jesus doesn't look at us as sinners or lost sheep anymore. We were once lost but now we're found. We are a new creation in Christ.


Dave

I don't know even Paul the apostle equated himself as a sinner. I still am a sinner being I still sin. That doesn't mean I haven't been renewed in the Mind.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
1 Timothy 1:15

The epistles also tell us that the flesh wars against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh. Our walks and salvation with God is an ongoing process and I regularly repent when I mess up. To say I'm not a sinner would mean I no longer repent when I make mistakes. It is my mind and spirit that is renewed, and my body will be "at the resurrection". I'm afraid that until the resurrection I believe I will continue to have to repent when I mess up. To say I'm a new finished creation would mean that God's done with his work in me. I am a new creation, but God's not done with me.

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
Philippians 1:6

 

[Aero_Hudson]

There is no reason why you can't be friends with whomever you choose as long as you can square that with your own personal feelings. Besides, it was a friendship with a Christian that brough me to God recently. You guessed it...I wasn't a Christian.

 

[GojuBrian]

There is no reason why you can't be friends with whomever you choose as long as you can square that with your own personal feelings. Besides, it was a friendship with a Christian that brough me to God recently. You guessed it...I wasn't a Christian.

Yes, but you have to be careful. The bible warns us :

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good character."

 

[Aero_Hudson]

There is no reason why you can't be friends with whomever you choose as long as you can square that with your own personal feelings. Besides, it was a friendship with a Christian that brough me to God recently. You guessed it...I wasn't a Christian.

Yes, but you have to be careful. The bible warns us :

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good character."

If you let it. We can't lock ourselves indoors and shield ourselves from the real world. We must learn to follow our path regardless of what is laid before us.

 

[itpro4470]

We absolutely become friends with non-Christians. The problems happen if we constantly try to convert them. What you have to do with a non-Christian friend is show them how much fun you have at church or with your Christian friends. It may take a while but plant the seed and let it grow. It's the best way to save people... That how I was saved.

 

[GojuBrian]

We absolutely become friends with non-Christians. The problems happen if we constantly try to convert them. What you have to do with a non-Christian friend is show them how much fun you have at church or with your Christian friends. It may take a while but plant the seed and let it grow. It's the best way to save people... That how I was saved.

So, as long as you keep quiet and make them believe being a christian is more fun, then it's ok? :crazy

 

[Gabe]

We absolutely become friends with non-Christians. The problems happen if we constantly try to convert them. What you have to do with a non-Christian friend is show them how much fun you have at church or with your Christian friends. It may take a while but plant the seed and let it grow. It's the best way to save people... That how I was saved.

So, as long as you keep quiet and make them believe being a christian is more fun, then it's ok? :crazy

I think itpro4470 possibly meant to show non-believers by example how great it is to know Christ.

 

[GojuBrian]

We absolutely become friends with non-Christians. The problems happen if we constantly try to convert them. What you have to do with a non-Christian friend is show them how much fun you have at church or with your Christian friends. It may take a while but plant the seed and let it grow. It's the best way to save people... That how I was saved.

So, as long as you keep quiet and make them believe being a christian is more fun, then it's ok? :crazy

I think itpro4470 possibly meant to show non-believers by example how great it is to know Christ.

Good!! It would be unbearable to read it like someone was to ashamed.

 

[kenan]

I'm friends with Christians (my best friend is a Christian and goes to Sydney Church of England Grammar School), Hindus, Muslims (I have Muslim friends, my father's side is Muslim, I was raised in a Muslim culture and consider myself to still be a cultural Muslim), Jews (a lot of my friends are Jews, but religion rarely enters our conversations because I know they don't want to become Christians and they know I am devoted to Jesus Christ) and nontheists (none of my friends are real atheists, they just don't really think much of a god; they're bordering of atheists and agnostics).

Basically all of my friends except a few who I'm not really close to believe in a god, and that's enough for me.

 

[Fembot]

It is true that Jesus hung out more with non Christians than Christians, but Jesus was also perfect so He was able not to give into tempation. We however, are weak. We need to be more careful.

God Bless!

Dave

Dave

We need to be careful not to let unbelievers ruin our goal to have high moral standards and not stray from God's directions-which unbelievers obviously do not abide by.

 

[Mark62]

Probably will sound like a hypocrite here...but one of my husband's closest friends is a non-believer whom we have named the baby's godfather due to some of the qualities we feel to be important in a role model. Then....people could frown at me for doing the same with one of my sister's as my son's godmother due to her lifestyle. ....Still....there is not one of us without sin...so if I were to spend my life looking for the perfect godparent...I would never find it.

Danielle

I suppose on the issue of Godparents what you believe a Godparent's role is will help define who you choose. We have three children and three of our brothers have missed out on being Godparents becuase they weren't / aren't Christians. This is because at our Church, a Godparent takes a vow to help the parents bring up the child to know God. Hard to do for a Godparent in this instance if they aren't a Christian.

Christine & I became Christians at 27 & 29 repsectively after Christian friends stood by us and invited us to church etc until we ran out of excuses. Some 18 years later we are still there!!!

Can't evangelise to your friends if they are all Christians. :gah