Ever since the 9/11 attacks, one of the standard airport security procedures has been that you don't pick up a suitcase that isn't yours. Doing so can threaten your safety and the well-being of those around you.
One of the problems facing today's young people is that in their desperate need to belong, they are often willing to take on the emotional baggage of their friends. This poses a real threat to the spiritual well-being of a young Christian. Rather than helping a troubled friend rise to a higher level of character and spiritual maturity, it often has the opposite effect of dragging the stronger individual down to the level of a wayward friend, where he or she is more likely to fall into sinful, self-destructive behaviors. I myself had that problem as a young adult in more than one relationship. I tended to hang out with friends who were spiritually lost or emotionally needy because of dysfunctional relationships and the hurt they suffered at someone else's hands. Staying in those relationships resulted in some very serious consequences and nearly cost me my life!
If you are a Christian teenager, please hear me clearly. Jesus ministered to those whose character was less than godly, and he spent time with those who clearly were not saved. However, in doing so never did he compromise God's Word, his convictions, or his divine character. You cannot be someone else's Savior; that is Jesus' role. By hanging out with friends of questionable character, you are placing yourself in great danger of taking on the sinful habits and behaviors of those you run with. You cannot bring them up to your level. Only the God can do that. Be wise -- let them carry their own baggage! Better yet, let God carry it!
You will be known by the company you keep, so choose your friends wisely. Understand that Jesus cares for your wayward friends even more than you do. Don't place yourself in a dangerous situation by taking on someone else's baggage. Chances are, you have enough baggage of your own. Commit yourself to the Lord, and pray for your friends. It is not your job to save the ones who are lost. Only Jesus can do that. Yes, pray for them and love them as Jesus would, but let Jesus do his job while you do yours. Your job is to live a holy and godly life (2 Peter 3:16), seek the righteousness of God and his kingdom (Matthew 6:33), and let your light shine rather than be snuffed out by the sin of worldly living (Matthew 5:16).
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