RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-08-31	Should I Confront Sin in My Non-Christian Friends?
		In conversations, should we be unresponsive to their sin, hoping to remain their friend. Or should we call out their sins, and explain to them why they are in need of a Savior? Jesus was called a friend of tax collectors (Lk.7:34; Mt.11:19). Luk 7:34  The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Jesus was invited into many homes including unbelievers (Pharisee, Lk.7:36). What we do not know is how often He was invited back. When Jesus came somewhere He explained His presence with sinners differently than you might expect. He did not explain Himself as a simple friend who wants to hang out with sinners. Friendship with tax collectors, sinners, and Pharisees does not mean He enjoyed their fellowship. They had very little in common with Jesus to fellowship around. Jesus loved them so much to enjoy what they enjoyed. The way Jesus explained His presence with sinners was very focused on their need. Mat 9:12  When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Mat 9:13  But go and learn what this means: 'I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Many today would say that was offensive. So Jesus is hanging out with me because I am sick, and need a physician (Savior)! Today many say we first need to enjoy the comradery you have with unbelievers. Then when you feel you are really one of them, they may be willing to hear they are sick. This is not how Jesus was thinking. It is not hard to imagine Jesus saying things that were so blunt, that He never got invited back. When Jesus was invited to Simon's house He was criticized by His host for allowing a woman to anoint His feet (Lk.7:36-50). The response of Jesus was an indictment of His host (Lk.7:44). Luk 7:44  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. Luk 7:45  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. Luk 7:46  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Luk 7:47  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." I imagine Jesus often exposed attitudes of selfishness, pride, sensuality, and greed. From what we read in the text it is highly unlikely Jesus simply listened without saying anything. Jesus would have acted like a physician. “I see some disease here, and I know a remedy.” Jesus would point them to the ways of the kingdom. Peter tells Christians to be overflowing with good deeds hoping their criticisms would be silenced (1Pe.2:12-15) and shamed (1Pe.3:16). It is clear Christians did not want to alienate unbelievers. But rather to win them. But Peter was also aware that Christians were called to live lives of such purity that unbelievers would be offended as Christians pulled away from fellowship in those sins. 1Pe 4:3  For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 1Pe 4:4  In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. We believers live with the tension of what love really requires of us. What does a true friend really do? 1. A true friend is full of good deeds. He will return good for evil. 2. A true friend abstains from sinful behavior and declares the excellencies of Christ. Both of these strategies are necessary. But neither is guaranteed to win over the unbeliever. The longer you wait to explain the hope you have in Christ, the more awkward it will seem to you when the time comes. And it will be more perplexing to your friends that it took you this long to say something. So ask other believers to pray for you. Then put into words your love for your unbelieving friends. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

23304 E Wellesley Ave. Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Church Office: 509.926.9552 Church Cell: 509.342.9145 Pastor Cell: 509.828.8843 tomelseroad@gmail.com