I met with a non-Christian friend recently, and as we talked, I shared something
I had written. He began to weep. He said that although he has a different
perspective on life, he knows I love him, and understands my zeal to share
what I believe.
Here is what I shared:
Loving people means doing what is right and not caring too
much if you have their approval. When you love someone
you have to do and say things they may not like. I love you
enough to not care if you will always like me. I hope you will,
but I must do what love requires. “Faithful are the wounds of
a friend.”(Proverbs 27:6) Caring confrontation shows real
love. Flattery is usually deceptive and self-serving.
Are we secure enough in God’s love to risk offending our friends with the
Gospel? How many of those we care about will never hear the truth of God’s
love and the forgiveness He offers only through Christ, because we are too
‘nice’ to bring it up? How often do we end up neglecting opportunities to
invite our friends into an eternal friendship with Jesus Christ?
I know I have been guilty of being too timid and of caring too much about how
my friends perceive me. I want to care more about them, than about what they
think of me. If necessary, am I willing to be rejected as their friend – maybe
even despised as Christ was? I truly want my friends to see my heart – and
even more, to experience the persistent love of God toward them.
“Rescue the perishing; don’t hesitate to step in and help. If you say, ‘Hey,
that’s none of my business,’ will that get you off the hook? Someone is
watching you closely, you know – Someone not impressed with weak
excuses.” (Proverbs 24:11-12 / The Message Bible)