https://odb.org/MY/2022/03/01/a-friendly-conversation
Friendships are often premised on neutral grounds whether it is race, religion, work, sports or even political views. So if you are a Manchester United fan, you cannot be critical of Chelsea if your friend is a Chelsea fan. Neutrality means it is ok for you to support Man U while accepting that I support Chelsea. In general, you cannot be on a mission to turn me into an MU fan. When it comes to football clubs, it is usually a life long affiliation and identification although there have been people who have switched sides. However people have usually remained good friends despite different club affiliations because people accept that others may like a different club. That includes political support whether for PN, PH or BN. But emotions run high here and families have known to be split because of different political beliefs and support.
The thing is the world in general have an inherent diversity and that includes different faiths and as much as different faiths have led to conflicts and bloodshed throughout history, governments do make the effort to help societies accept diversity in faiths. We try to help and facilitate different religions to live harmoniously among each other. There can be unity in diversity because diversity breeds strength.
However, as Christians we still have a duty to share the Gospel. Not to convert our friends and relatives but to tell them of the Good News. Even as Paul was in chains, he nevertheless wanted to preach the Gospel fearlessly as the Word of God cannot be bound or chained, which is incidentally the current theme of my local church.
It will always be a risk whether to share the Gospel with our close friends and relatives because the basis of our relationship with them is often premised on neutrality. Yet we must proclaim the Gospel as it is the Good News of mankind being reconciled with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a question of eternity and eternal life, of what happens after we die and depart from this world. It is a risk worth taking because even if our friends do not accept the message, they will not necessarily reject our continued friendship. So, we should pray for them, share the message and continue to be a living testimony of God’s love and glory. Salvation is a gift from God, conviction comes from the Holy Spirit and mankind is always given the freedom of choice, the will to make our own decisions. As in today’s ODB life story, the risk was taken and it was worth the reward – seeing someone accepting the privilege and taking up the challenge to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and be a part of the family of God! Praise the Lord indeed!
Ronnie's Thoughts 