“John, you should build relationships with unbelievers. Earn their respect. Make friends with them so they’ll be more likely to listen when you share your faith!”

I first learned this important evangelism principle when I was a youngster in Sunday School. I’ve since heard it repeated thousands of times in sermons, seminars, classes, and church growth books. Dozens of spiritual teachers affirmed that friendship was a crucial first step in leading people to Christ. I am glad to report those teachers are wrong.

What a relief to learn that I didn’t need to make friends with pagans! In fact, the bible specifically tells me NOT to be friends with people who despise Jesus! Hooray!!

What a loving God we serve!

He forbids me from placing myself in the company of mean, hateful villains. I’m told to distance myself from the people who love darkness. Following Jesus doesn’t require making friends with liars and fools. It doesn’t require subjecting myself to my neighbor’s abuse either! Hallelujah!

“John, you jerk!!! Ever heard of the Great Commission??!!! How will anyone come to know Jesus unless we share the gospel with them???!!!!”

Go ahead and preach Jesus to the pagans. Just don’t make friends with them. You’ll discover this is easy because most of the time, sharing the gospel with pagans makes friendship impossible. They will unfriend you, or get you fired, or have you arrested, or beat you, or kill you. Start by telling people they need Jesus and you won’t accidentally become cohorts with the citizens of Hell.

When the people who hate Jesus have no problem with you that is not a testimony to your winsomeness. It means you’ve compromised. You are choosing to please men instead of pleasing God.

(John 15:18) “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”