HEY MIKE! I’m a new Christian, and it’s great. But many of my Christian friends are pressuring me to give up my non-Christian ones. I’ve been close to my non-Christian friends for a long time. Do I really have to bail on them?
—J.E., Harrisonburg, Va.
No, you don’t have to blow off your non-Christian friends. I’m sure your Christian friends probably mean well: They want to help you stay on track.
Jesus wants His followers to spread the gospel. If we separate ourselves too much from the world, we’ll have a hard time showing them what Jesus truly means. Maintaining those old friendships can be a key. But along with holding onto those old pals comes a strong warning: Don’t let your friends pull you back into a life of sin. Keep your guard up and don’t compromise your new Christian standards for anything.
Living the Christian life means standing up for the truth in love. Your non-Christian friends will likely do one of two things. Either they’ll see the change in your life and accept Christ as well (that’s what everyone is hoping will happen) or they’ll walk out on you (that’s the tough part). I suggust you read John 15:18 - 16:4.
Discard your old friends just because you’re now a Christian? No way. But make sure you don’t abandon Jesus to keep those old friends. 
