Daily Devotional

I was a Youth Pastor in Chicago for ten years. I had a huge group of public school kids and they regularly asked me, “How can I live as a Christian among my non-Christian friends at school?” I said, “As a Christian, make sure your best friends are Christians.” Why? Because you become like those you surround yourself with. So, come to youth group, play games, worship, listen to messages, discuss the messages in breakout groups, pray for each other, and afterwards, go back to your non-Christian friends at school and be like Jesus in your actions and words. And they will notice a difference. When they do, talk to them about your relationship with Jesus. Invite them to youth group at church.
 
Romans 12:1–2
¹ Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
 
Navigating secular culture as a Christian involves looking for opportunities to make a positive impact on non-Christians around you. It involves acts of kindness, demonstrations of integrity, and a smile. Keeping in mind that saving people is Christ’s work, not yours.
 
Navigating secular culture as a Christian involves understanding and engaging with them. Being aware of the needs and concerns in the wider community. Knowing the cultural references that are present, and engaging in dialogue accordingly. Gaining an understanding of the different perspectives in the neighborhood. If someone believes in something other than Christianity, learn about that belief system and how you might talk to them about Christianity. And what their response might be. Being prepared to give the reason for the hope you have in Christ.
 
Navigating secular culture involves remaining grounded in your faith. Remember what the gospel message is; Jesus came to earth to die for sinners. Don’t allow yourself to cross any lines of sinfulness in the name of reaching someone for Christ. Jesus was a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:34), but at no time did Jesus cross a line of sinfulness. He was sinless. Just because He hung out with sinners didn’t mean He became one.
 
That’s why I told my youth group, make sure your best friends are Christians. Come to youth group each week and get pumped up in your faith, so you are ready to remain grounded when you go back to school and try to make a difference for Christ in the lives of your non-Christian friends.
 
Start with your story. I’m amazed at the number of Christians who don’t know how to tell their story. If you don’t know how to tell your story, it’s simple. Start with who you were before you came to Christ, the circumstances surrounding you making a decision to accept Christ, and who you are after you came to Christ.
 
It takes authenticity to admit to someone else how sinful you were before you came to Christ. And this is the hesitancy of many Christians to share their story. They want people around them to think they’re perfect and they always have been. Well, none of us has ever been perfect, nor will we ever be this side of heaven. One of the greatest ways to make a difference with your non-Christian friends is to tell them who you used to be, and how Christ has made you a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
 
Some of you may be reading this saying, “But I don’t have any non-Christian friends.” And my answer to that is, go make some. Start with prayer. Go after a neighbor. Make them banana bread for no reason. Offer to take in their mail if they go on a trip. Start the relationship. Because it’s in the context of a friendship with non-Christians that the greatest opportunities for evangelism come. Navigate secular culture being the light of Christ in a dark world. People need the Lord. 

New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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