January 4, 2019 – Click here to listen
A friend wrote and mused about the following Bible passage: “Don’t take the path of evil people. Don’t live the way sinners do . . . Stay away from their path. Don’t travel on it. Turn away from it. Go on your way.” Then my buddy wrote: “Kind of a conundrum??? There are two sides to this aren’t there? The bad company corrupts good character
side . . . or I’m helping bring this person up? I see the idea of don’t follow their path . . . but does that mean you should disassociate yourself from any friends that are not of good character . . . We’re all sinners . . . Where do you draw the line?”
I was reminded of a story that I recently recounted at a friend’s life celebration about a wayward grandson whose grandfather died and how he was greatly impacted and suddenly turned to God. He was asked if it was the death of his grandfather that caused his sudden turnaround; the boy answered, “Oh no sir, it was his LIFE!“
The impact the boy’s grandfather had on his wayward grandson wasn’t what he preached or said, or his death, but how he lived his life. Obviously, the grandfather lived his life with integrity, honesty, dignity, kindness and a form of godly righteousness and didn’t live the way sinners do. The boy noticed and wanted to follow in his grandfather’s path and not the path of the world.
I responded to my friend as follows: “You don’t have to “LIVE the way sinners live” to influence them. You do that by living the kind of life that God wants you to live and making them want to aspire to the same marker. This verse refers to you personally avoiding taking the path of EVIl . . . ” The Bible is far more eloquent about it than I . . .
Eph. 5:8 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
I occasionally go to parties where people are drinking to excess. I don’t sadly shake my head and point my finger at all those sinners getting drunk, but I don’t get drunk with them either. Interestingly Jesus did the same thing and when the most religious people on the face of the earth objected, He promptly put them in their place by forcefully declaring in Mark 2:17 – “Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
I have plenty of unsaved friends and acquaintances. One of them takes the Lord’s name in vain frequently. I always object to his doing that to the point of now he is catching himself as he comes out with it and then he looks at me sheepishly and apologizes, telling me, “So sorry Bob, that one slipped out.” I thank him for the effort and tell him God recognizes it and appreciates it too. I don’t lord my faith over him or anyone, rather I try to be an example albeit I’m far from perfect and make mistakes like everyone else on the planet. I don’t allow my imperfections to stop me however, I just try not to make the same mistake again . . .
Matt. 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!