Who's Your Crew?

There's an old saying, "Birds of a feather flock together," and I believe this statement to be true for the most part.As a single Christian who is striving to live a holy and sexually pure lifestyle, it is important to examine your friendships and relationships because who you hang around on a consistent basis and who you allow to speak into your life influences you - whether you would like to believe it or not.

For example, let's say just this past Sunday you went to the altar and recommitted your life to Christ, and then made a decision to live a lifestyle that pleases God by remaining celibate until marriage.

It can become more of a challenge to pursue holiness and righteousness in Christ if all your closest friends do is sit around and talk about their latest relationship and how good it was when they got some the other night. Listening to them may cause you to be tempted to call your old boo to see what he's been up to.

I'm not saying ditch all your friends if they're not saved - you do have the ability to influence them in a positive way by encouraging them to live for Christ, however what I'm speaking of is your closest friends, or your core crew...those whom you confide in, share your hopes and dreams with, and those who know you more than anyone else. You want this crew to motivate you to go further in the things of Christ as iron sharpens iron. You want this crew to, if you ever have a pity party and feel bad about being single, call you and be assured that they won't judge you but will share the Word of God and encourage you to wait on the Lord with joy knowing you're running this race together.

Some of you may say, even Jesus ate with sinners...but what was his purpose for dining with them? His purpose of being with them was so he could be a light and share the gospel message with Him as He said, "...They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Mark 2:17)

Jesus' main crew were 12 disciples who hung with him as they preached the gospel with signs following.

Jesus did not conform to the world or other influences, He influenced them. However, if you're struggling in an area - let's say sexual temptation, you don't want your core crew to consist of those who see, "nothing wrong" with single Christians having sex - instead of influencing them they may end up influencing you!

So today, take the time to examine your relationships.

While we can't choose our family (whom we love dearly), we have the ability to choose our friends and significant other.

When it comes to the things of God, you're either growing spiritually or decreasing in your spiritual walk with Christ - there is no in between.

If you have friends that are pulling you down and discouraging you from living for Christ on a daily basis by constantly telling you, "It don't take all that!" determine if you want to continue the friendship, or have them as an acquaintance instead of a core part of your crew.

If you're in a relationship with someone who insists on having sex before marriage despite your commitment to Christ and your decision to wait until marriage before having sex again, you may want to cut off that relationship because only through prayer and God working on their hearts do folks change their ways.

You want your core crew to consist of friends who believe like you believe when it comes to saving sex until marriage so that you both are assured that you're not alone in your desire to please God.

Where can you find good Christian friends? Start at your church home. The more you volunteer and serve at your church, the more likely you are to meet other like-minded individuals. Ask God to send true Christian friends into your life, and introduce yourself to others. The Word says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly..." (Proverbs 18:24) So be friendly, and let newly found friendship progress naturally. God will honor your desire to please Him by surrounding yourself with others who love Him like you do.

Because when it all boils down to it, as a single Christian pleasing God should be your #1 priority, and when your life please God, He'll be sure and please you.
Much love in Christ, Kim Brooks