“If what we are doing is not bringing us in closer friendship with God the Father, we need to leave it, change it, or stop it…but do not keep doing it if we want to spend eternal life in heaven.” December 13, Women’s Advent Devotional. Really, I could stop there, it’s self-explanatory. But since I’m a writer, write I will. Let’s break this baby down some more, shall we? This reading and a shorter version of the reflection can be found in the Women’s Advent Devotional as a free download for email subscribers of The Littlest Way. (I printed my copy and had it coil bound at my local office supply.)
This might be a little hard to hear and consider, but necessary, “If I chose to walk with God, I’m gonna need to part ways with a lot of people who want me to walk only with them.” (Charles Stanley) I heard that quote the other morning while I was walking and at first, I was like, “Wait, I need to part ways with people?” Which does sound tempting since people drain me as only another introvert could possibly understand. But I thought of how we are to share the Gospel and bring others to Christ; how can we do that if we’ve parted ways? But then I pondered the rest of the quote.
If there are people–friends in my life, who only want me to walk with them, those are the people I need to “part ways with” or at least seriously limit my time with. They do not want the best for me or from me. They don’t care if I desire heaven, much less if I go to heaven. They won’t ask me about my spiritual life, my prayer time or Bible reading. They won’t ask what I’m reading or encourage me to read good spiritual books. They don’t care about my soul and my eternal life so they really don’t care about me.
It’s interesting to note I did an informal poll on Instagram asking the question, “If my friends don’t care about my soul or my friendship with Christ, are they good friends?” 78% of the people said, “No, they are not good friends.” But that left 22% of people said, “Yes, they are good friends.”
Wait a minute, let’s take this back old school, Catechism Q&A style,
Who made you? God made me.
Why did God make you? God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven.
If we believe we were created by God, to know, love, and serve Him and be happy with Him in heaven, and if our friends are not helping us to do that, they are hindering us…there’s no neutrality here…help or hinder. So if they are not helping, but actually hindering, they are not good friends. Unless, we don’t want to go to heaven, and then I guess they’re just fine?
I think the 22% could have been made up of four different groups of people:
1. Non-Christians
2. Christians who think they’re going to heaven no matter what
3. Christians who think they can be of this world without any ill effects on their soul
4. Christians who don’t want to examine their friendships because they might have to “part ways” with some people
Today, look closely at your friendships. And also look at yourself as a friend. If we stop and examine these friendships and examine ourselves as friends, what kind of fruit are they bearing?
And look, I’m a momma, I already know what some of you are going to say, “Well, we’re not perfect!” First, I never said anything about perfect or being perfect or your friends being perfect. I talked about striving for heaven and you cannot wiggle out of a holy life because you think it has to be a perfect life. A holy life is not a perfect life but it is a life committed to walking with, listening to, and obeying God.
Anyone can walk with God. It’s a daily choice…we either walk with Him or we don’t, again, no neutrality.
Anyone can listen to God. It’s also a daily choice…we either listen to God or we let the world drown His voice out, no neutrality.
Anyone can obey God. Daily choice…obey or don’t obey…no kinda-sorta obedience…no neutrality.
I always think of the lesson my kids were taught year after year at swimming lessons. If someone is drowning, DO NOT jump in to save them! They will pull you down with them and you’ll both drown. Throw them something to hold on to. What can we offer to ourselves or our friends? Jesus Christ and His Church.
1. Friendship Jumbo Mug
2. A Friend Loves Necklace
3. Friendship Willow Tree Figurine
Gina J says
Jenny, my sweet, you are so “on point” sometimes, it’s incredible ! Go you !! <3