One of the biggest challenges I faced upon coming to Asbury was allowing my view of the church to grow and expand.
In the small town I grew up in, many of my school friends went to the same church as me. We shared similar values and perspectives on how to navigate the world as Christ’s followers. However, when I came to Asbury, I found myself surrounded by classmates who caused me to question the validity and strength of my beliefs. They offered up different interpretations of scripture that I had never considered and openly expressed views that I didn’t know how to deal with.
I knew how to go about living in harmony with those who had beliefs that were the exact opposite of mine, but I did not prepare for all the people in between. Unfortunately, the doubts and uncomfortable feelings of confusion caused me to distance myself. Instead of digging in and challenging myself to learn more about why they believe the way they do, I went on the defense.
And by defense, I mean I ran away.
Many of the chapels this semester have been centered around becoming more like Christ and a citizen of heaven by desiring the right things.
I have been convicted over and over again by the selfish nature of my heart and just how blind I am to my own pride. I’m ashamed of the ways I’ve ignored my mistakes in the past and continued to live in the same sinful cycle. One question in particular that has been weighing on my heart is wondering what Jesus would think of the company I keep. Or, more importantly, the company I choose to exclude and cut out of my life.
Psalms and Proverbs have many wise sayings about keeping good company and choosing your friends carefully. For example, Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law, he meditates day and night.”
Yet Jesus fraternized with sinners and ate with the ungodly. Matthew 9:10-13 reads, “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Jesus desires mercy from us as well. Even in His closest group of disciples, Jesus did not exclude those who lived differently from Him. Our Savior calls us to build up our community with people from all different walks of life because each and every one is made in His image and has value.
So how do we stop narrowing our friend group to only those who believe like us while still guarding our hearts and minds?
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul wrote to the church of Corinth and offered advice on how to deal with false teachers who had infiltrated the body of Christ. Paul warned the church about the adverse effects of relationships with these false teachers and how one’s morals could quickly take a turn for the worse. He knew that when one is in close proximity to a certain group, it’s very easy to start mimicking their behaviors, language, and habits. Paul reminded the church that “bad company corrupts good character” and counseled them to guard their hearts and minds. But guarding our faith should not mean excluding opposing viewpoints or people who believe differently than us.
So, what are we to do? How do we retain the good parts of our faith and our values and also reap the benefits of an expanded perspective from company that challenges us?
Paul provides us with his answer at the very end of chapter 15, saying, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
In 2 Timothy 2:24-26, we are urged to always be kind and not seek out quarrels. We must be patient and willing to listen to those with different views.
Matthew 5:16 also encourages us to “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.”
Jesus calls us to surround ourselves with people that encourage and challenge us spiritually. We cannot be afraid to have friends whose opinions and beliefs make us feel uncomfortable. We cannot run away from social circles that challenge us to dig deeper into our values.
So, what would Jesus think of the company you keep?
