STANDING TOGETHER

In school some of my friends were a bad influence on me, and my need to fit in with them made me act like everyone but Jesus. Around that time, I became friends with a girl from my church who wasn’t impressed with the things I did with my school friends. It didn’t take long before I noticed that her life stood out in a completely different way—she showed Jesus to the people around her. And soon I realised I wanted to do that too!

My friend helped me keep my focus on Jesus in a world that doesn’t look or act like Him. Paul understood this challenge well and warned Christians not to “conform to the pattern of this world” (ROMANS 12:2).

Living like our school friends is often easier than living like Jesus. But it’s not impossible to be different, especially with the help of other Christians. For example, together Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (exiled Jews in Babylon) refused to bow down to the image King Nebuchadnezzar had set up for his people (DANIEL 3:12). They stood for God—no matter the cost. “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (DANIEL 3:17-18).

The writer of Hebrews encouraged Christians to think about “how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds” (HEBREWS 10:24). Let’s make it a focus this week to help other Christians we know to keep standing out for Jesus, and use their support and the strength of the Holy Spirit to do the same

ourselves!

Thinking it over . . .

How are your friends being a good or a bad influence on you? How can you make sure you are also regularly spending time with Christians for prayer and encouragement?