It is wonderful that you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior! It is great to see that it has made such a change in you that your friends are noticing. You are different and that is better than okay! It doesn’t mean that you can’t keep your friends or that you have to be an outsider now. You just need to give your friends some time to see that you are the same great person whom they loved last year–but now you have something even better to add to the mix, Jesus Christ.
More than anything, in Jesus Christ, you have a best friend for life! Nurture that relationship through prayer and Bible study, and stand strong for Him no matter what life throws your way. He will never let you down. You can give each day to Him, give your worries and your fears to Him, and then ask Him to send you a wonderful Christian friend with whom you can share your love for Christ. God bless you as you walk with the Lord!
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).
“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also” (John 15:20).
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
For further on the sufferings of Christians through the ages, read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, unless you have a weak stomach.
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:8-16).
Comments