1 Peter 4:3-5 NLT
You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols. Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead.
One of the biggest challenges we face when we submit our lives to Jesus Christ is our past.
We have people that we associated with from the past, “friends” that we used to hang out with, and did things that probably don’t line up with God’s Will for our lives.
So we battle with this in our minds, we still see these people from our past, and they still want us to partake in the things that we no longer wish to do because of our newfound faith.
We’re new in our faith, and we may not know what the scriptures say about how to handle these things, so what do we do?
The answers can always found in the Word of God, and this is where we should go to get clarity.
Another place to go for counsel in these matters is to our new family of God. Start to get to know people in the church through Bible studies, Life Groups, and any other form of fellowship that the church has to offer. Get involved.
There are two types of people that we will are dealing with in this world.
1. Followers of Jesus Christ. These people have turned their lives over to the care of Jesus Christ and are working out their salvation.
2. Non-believers
Scripture to consider with regards to working through this particular challenge with the people as we walk with Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 6:12 NLT
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
The real challenge that we face is not changing the world around us but changing the person we are in light of God’s Word.
Our natural inclination with the world we operate in is that we feel it is the people and circumstances that have to change to be happy.
Not so with God, everything that is outside of our thinking, what we say, and what we do is in God’s hands. This includes the people around us as well as the circumstances that we face. Though, there will be circumstances that we face because of things that we think, say, and do.
Colossians 4:5-6 NLT
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
The proof of what we believe should be evident in the way we live. If the way we live does not reflect the words that come out of our mouths, this will confuse those around us. And will damage our witness for the Lord.
The people that knew us before Jesus Christ entered our lives will not want us to change because they don’t want to change. They won’t have that person who they had doing the same things they used to.
Luke 12:51 NLT
Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!
As we work out our salvation, we must, with the Holy Spirit’s help, start to separate ourselves from the things that keep us from knowing Jesus Christ, and this includes some people that we have dealt with from the past.
And it is not our job to change them. God’s Spirit is the only thing that can change the heart of another person.
But your life being lived out in the Will of God can be used by the Spirit to soften the heart of another.
Living this way may present the opportunity for you to share your hope in Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, I pray that You help me to submit to Your Word.
Please continue to give me the desire to seek You out above all else.
Change my mind, change my heart, change the words that I say, and change what I do. Give me the patience and compassion to serve others with a humble heart and let my witness in front of unbelievers glorify You in every way.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!! 🙏❤️
