"Therefore, 'Come out from them, and be separate, says the Lord, Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you'" (2 Cor. 6:17, NIV, italics mine).
"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of wicked leads them astray" (Prov. 12: 26, NIV, italics mine). "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24, NIV, italics mine).
"A friend loves at all times,.." (Prov. 17:17, NIV).
"Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts" (Prov. 19:6, NIV, italics mine).
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (Prov. 13:20, ESV).
It is commonplace knowledge that we are known by the company we keep, and only a fool has no discretion in choosing friends. Reading Proverbs gives one plenty of warnings to avoid the evildoer and not to befriend them. "Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company" (Prov. 24:1, NIV). We must be careful, lest we become like our friends, for our "buddies" influence us more than anyone else.
However, we must be friendly, and there is a difference, but keep our distance, make borders, and draw the line where we don't have the confidence to go with the Lord. "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared" (Prov. 22:24-25, NIV, italics mine). The rich have many friends and everyone wants to be their friend (and it's hard for them to know their true friends), but even the friends of the poor despise them according to Proverbs.
Jesus was indeed the friend of sinners (as His enemies saw it) in reaching out to them but he did draw the line, the Pharisees had no desire to get to know Him or had any love in their hearts. However, Jesus made it plain to the disciples that they were His friends; only those who obey Him are His friends. Jesus had the Spirit without measure and was perfect and unspoiled by sinners, He wasn't able to be corrupted by them, as we are if we are not careful.
Now, I know this from experience and have come across sinners who've had no restraint, and the military, for example, is certainly not the place to send an innocent young person unless they are prepared to battle Satan on his turf. In theory, you could say that a sinner cannot harm you and God protects you from being touched by the evil one (cf. John 17:5) but we are to know our limits and not tempt or test the Lord either.
The conclusion of the matter is: If God is with me and God sends me somewhere I know that God will see me through and protect me--but that's the key--God with me in it. A word to the wise is sufficient: "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals'" (1 Cor. 15:33, ESV). Take my sound advice: Don't hang around the wrong crowd! Becoming a Christian entails making new friends. Soli Deo Gloria!
"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of wicked leads them astray" (Prov. 12: 26, NIV, italics mine). "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24, NIV, italics mine).
"A friend loves at all times,.." (Prov. 17:17, NIV).
"Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts" (Prov. 19:6, NIV, italics mine).
"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm" (Prov. 13:20, ESV).
It is commonplace knowledge that we are known by the company we keep, and only a fool has no discretion in choosing friends. Reading Proverbs gives one plenty of warnings to avoid the evildoer and not to befriend them. "Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company" (Prov. 24:1, NIV). We must be careful, lest we become like our friends, for our "buddies" influence us more than anyone else.
However, we must be friendly, and there is a difference, but keep our distance, make borders, and draw the line where we don't have the confidence to go with the Lord. "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared" (Prov. 22:24-25, NIV, italics mine). The rich have many friends and everyone wants to be their friend (and it's hard for them to know their true friends), but even the friends of the poor despise them according to Proverbs.
Jesus was indeed the friend of sinners (as His enemies saw it) in reaching out to them but he did draw the line, the Pharisees had no desire to get to know Him or had any love in their hearts. However, Jesus made it plain to the disciples that they were His friends; only those who obey Him are His friends. Jesus had the Spirit without measure and was perfect and unspoiled by sinners, He wasn't able to be corrupted by them, as we are if we are not careful.
Now, I know this from experience and have come across sinners who've had no restraint, and the military, for example, is certainly not the place to send an innocent young person unless they are prepared to battle Satan on his turf. In theory, you could say that a sinner cannot harm you and God protects you from being touched by the evil one (cf. John 17:5) but we are to know our limits and not tempt or test the Lord either.
The conclusion of the matter is: If God is with me and God sends me somewhere I know that God will see me through and protect me--but that's the key--God with me in it. A word to the wise is sufficient: "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals'" (1 Cor. 15:33, ESV). Take my sound advice: Don't hang around the wrong crowd! Becoming a Christian entails making new friends. Soli Deo Gloria!
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