Being a Christian around non-Christian friends.

Being a REAL Christian around non-Christian friends is really hard.

When I accepted Christ into my life in grade 9, I thought I had to be a combination of Karina and Faith from Youth Eventz. I knew that some of the stuff my friends were into wasn't pleasing to God, and so I wasn't sure exactly how to be around them. For example, my friends would make a dirty joke in 'the Caf' and all my other friends would laugh, but I knew that I shouldn't be laughing. How awkward is it when someone makes a joke and you don't laugh at it!

Throughout all of my high school years I received different labels: "holier than though", "Christian boy", "Jesus Freak", and "Church-goer". One of my friends demanded that I 'apologize for the fall of the Roman Empire' since he believed Christians were the cause of that fall, and all Christians are the same! Another one of my friends would argue with me about Creation vs. Evolution simply to make me squirm.

I have to be totally honest with you in saying that being a Christian in high school was really hard, however it was also amazing.

Because I was a Christian, my non-Christian friends would ask me why I believed in Jesus and why I acted so different from them. I was able to talk about my relationship with Christ and how his forgiveness and love have helped me to strive to live a life pleasing to him.

I was also able to invite three of my friends to my church youth group, in which two of them came and loved it. And if you were able to ask any of my non-Christian friends today, they would tell you that there is something very different about me, and that difference that is so attractive is because he is a follower of Jesus.

This is not to say that I am perfect, far from it and my non-Christian friends would be able to tell you that as well, however I continue to live in God's grace and love, showing grace and love to my friends in the name of Jesus.

1 Peter 3:15

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Galatians 1:10

Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

--Brian Martin