|
I don't understand?
I'm a 15 year old female and I'm a Christian. I grew up in a Baptist church, though my family isn't baptist nor are we nearly as strict and legalistic as some Christians.
I am homeschooled and my workbooks/PACE'S(ACE Curriculum) sometimes have stories and/or comics of kids in different situations and teach Christian morality and thinking.
But as I was reading one of these stories, it was about a girl who became Christian and it was talking about how she was changing her life. One of the things it mentioned was: "She began to find new joy as she replaced her former friends and ways with new Christian friends and activity's that helped her grow spiritually."
I understand having new Christian friends and distancing herself from bad things like drugs and alcohol. But why would she need to remove her old friends from her life? Didn't Jesus sit and eat with the non-Christians and sinners?
Wouldn't we WANT to be friends with them so we could possibly influence them in a good way instead of cutting them off?
I guess I just don't understand why you would do that...
Could someone explain this to me? Or tell me if I'm right and their wrong? Or the other way around?
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
I understand why you are confused because I had to ask my pastor the same question and this is what my pastor told me he said the reason that you di this is because sometimes if you gang out with your old friends who are not living the Christian life style you could go back to your old ways because yoour old friend s are not good influences when you are trying to live the Christian life . He says that you can still talk to them and that sort of thing but just don't go back to your old hang outs with them like the club or the bars show them how Jesus has changed your life for the better . I hope that I have helped answer your question.
]
First I would like to commend you for being such a mature young person with mind of your own and willing to question things if they don't seem right! You are absolutely correct that you should distance yourself from friends who do drugs and alcohol(if they refuse to stop doing them). I believe it is always best to follow the example Jesus set. It is true that you should surround yourself with some good Christian friends who will help you grow spiritually but in my opinion you should still keep the good friends you have and let them see what wonderful things Jesus is doing in your life. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise isn't following Jesus' example. You have a good head on your shoulders and a good heart as well so just ask" WWJD?" and you will always have the right answer!
]
Christianity covers a whole host of different sorts of beliefs. There has never been a commonly accepted, agreed on way to be a 'good' Christian. In fact, the various Christian groups (Catholic, Puritans, Baptists, Protestants) used to utterly HATE each other. They disagreed so strongly on subjects like the one you are asking about, that it regularly led to violence. In some parts of the world, it still does. It's only a very, very recent phenomenon in the States that Christians of all different churches have banded together and called a truce - largely to preserve their political power as a voting group.
So, you have some Christians would see a benefit to spreading their faith to others. Some Christians who would even call that their highest calling. Other Christians would see the behaviour of others as a threat to their own soul or standing with God.
You'd have to unpack thousands of years of theology and debate to understand where those ideas come from.
The truth is, when it comes to questions like this one, there is no one authority unless YOU choose to accept that authority or interpretation of your faith. You aren't wrong, but you also can't really be right. Just like any religion, there is too much opinion, too much disagreement, too many interpretations and too much nonsense out there to know precisely who has the ultimate truth. Just do the best you can and enjoy the company of the people whose company you enjoy.
]
Jesus didn't continue eating with the same sinners. First Corinthians chapter 15 verse 33 says bad association spoils useful habits. Our old friends can become our new Christian friends if after hearing the message they want to change their ways too. But if our former friends have no interest in our new lifestyle it would be better to distance ourselves from them. We should give them a chance to decide first though. Talk to them about the Bible about God and see how they react. This will tell us if they are a new Christian friend or a former friend we must distance ourselves from.
]
I would assume that her old friends weren't good influences.
As for influencing them, you don't have to be friends to be able to influence someone. Although, it's true that your friends are some of the most greatest influences in your life, probably more influencing that your parents so that's why they say she replaced her friends. Because your friends can also influence you. And if her friends weren't Christian, then it's possible they don't have the same values and all that and can be bad influences.
I'm definitely not saying that it always happens like that. It could be the other way around as well, but most good kids will be influenced to do bad things rather than influencing bad kids to do good things. Only because teenagers are young and would rather have fun, and "sin" seems more fun.
I think it makes sense, you don't have to agree with it but I can see their point of view.
]
"Didn't Jesus sit and eat with the non-Christians and sinners?"
Yes, but not with people who he used to hang out with as a non-christian. Habits are hard to break.
]
You are correct. Someone doesn't need to stop being friends just because of their change in religious beliefs. It seems to imply that her former friends were a bad influence on her Christian morals, but that's not always the case.
]
More Questions: |