IN the world, not OF the world

I'm currently sitting in front of my computer with an empty cup of coffee, still dressed in my work uniform; shoes and all. It's a little too late, but when am I not up a a little too late? I was reading through some of my old blogs and I realized that I have not written since January...  *hangs head in shame*

I decided to write about a topic I often discuss with other people. It's a topic that could be debated for ages and I don't think anyone has it completely prefect or balanced. 

It's the age-old question of how to be IN the world, yet not OF the world. For those of you who are not as familiar with the church lingo; basically how do Christians remain active participants in a secular world while not being swayed by a secular world. 

I don't think the answer is as simple as "play it safe" and I would refrain from telling people that they should be "better safe than sorry." God did not command his disciples to stay holed up in their Christian circles and never talk to anyone that is considered bad. We are all considered bad. I'm the worst of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). 

Anyway, coming back from my squirrel chase, there is obviously an issue. Christians have to somehow find a balance between being in the world enough to influence, minister, and create disciples.  However, Christians are to be set apart from the rest of the world. To be a city on a hill (Matthew 14:16). To not conform to the patterns of the secular world (Romans 12:2). Its a tightrope walk, and I have trouble walking on flat surfaces sometimes. 

I seem to go through phases. Phases where I spend all of my time with Christians. I pour into them. They pour into me. It's a really great back and forth--incredibly encouraging and spiritually satisfying. However, those are the times that I seem to be less inclined to make friends with non-believers. 

Realizing this, I tend to go into another phase. I spend a large majority of time with non-believers. Its cool to be able to be an example to them. And to be a light to them, however, I usually spend less time with my Christian influences and tend to be influenced by my non-Christian friends. 

I know I haven't started answering any questions yet. I have simply made the questions more extensive and complicated. Welcome to why I was never good at math.

Here's the things. Jesus ate with prostitutes and tax collectors (Matthew 9:11). Yet he spent the majority of his time with his disciples. 

ITTTSSS TTIIMMMEEE FFOOOORRRR W.W.J.D. MAAAAN (What Would Jesus Do) 

So just as Jesus did, we should spend most of out time with people who encourage and help us grow. As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). We become like the people we hang out with. This is true more than people want to realize. We must also invest time and energy into those who are non-believers. We must show them love, be their friend, care about them. But not live in the same way they do. For a companion of fools will suffer harm (Proverbs 13:20). 

Look, this is not an easy topic. Because there really isn't a definite answer. its not wrong to have non christian friends. God encourages us to love everyone. If we want to know how God feels about this topic, all we have to do is look at how he lived his life. He didn't avoid the people he considered dirty or rotten or "bad." He reached out to them. He loved them. He ate with them. BUT he did so all with a purpose. He did so, so that he might share the gospel with them. He did so, so that they might come to know the light in him, and as a result come to know the father in Heaven.  

We have to be careful in discerning our motives for our friendships. Is it for personal gain? For popularity? Are we going to make an effort to share the light within us? Or are we going to try to hide it in the presence of that person?  

There is no quota for christian vs. no Christian friends. All I ask you to do is search your heart. Have a solid foundation you can always come back to and be encouraged and filled. But go out into the world with the mission to make disciples. Do that, and you will be in pretty good shape.