Friends in Low Places

Have you been tracked down by some old friends lately?

With the Internet in general, and social networking websites specifically, finding old friends takes just seconds.

It can be a good thing.

Or an awkward thing.

Awkward because now that you're a committed follower of Jesus Christ you're not the same person you used to be before accepting Him as your Savior.

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

It almost seems like that old life wasn't even yours.

You know it was.

But the present is so different.

Warning!

Proceed with caution.

The power of nostalgia can be a trap of the Enemy.

Before long Satan takes you back to the "good old days" which weren't good at all.

They were days when sinning wasn't even sinning to you.

How can we go back and celebrate a time of life that was filled with a total disregard for God?

A life filled with the sins that sent Jesus to the cross.

To be tortured and punished.

To die for each one of those sins.

When you put it like that, it's a harsh reality.

And it's a barren place you don't want to return to.

Romans 6:21 (NIV) "What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!"

Your old friends who aren't believers will notice the change.

And most will think you're crazy.

A fanatic.

"Too bad... he was such a fun guy."

"Too bad... she was the life of the party."

"What a waste."

"I know your dirt."

"What's up with this holier than thou stuff?"

They may just bolt.

And that's okay.

It really is.

Be ready though if they follow up the hard words with an important question:

"Why are you so different now?"

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV) " ...but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

Stand firm.

True commitment to Jesus has a price.

But it's worth it.

Matthew 10:32 (NIV) "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven."