'Be in the world, not of the world.'  So we've heard that saying.  What does it mean?  It means being a part of the world, but not engaging in the sins of it.  Now how do we do this and evangelize?

   Did you know that Christians are most effective in their evangelism within 6 months after accepting Christ?  That's because they're still running with their old crowds.  However, a lot of times the church teaches us that we shouldn't even hang out at all with non-Christians because we shouldn't be 'of the world.'  We get caught up in our Christian circles and miss the big picture.  Why do you think we're still on this earth even after we've accepted Christ?  It isn't to make money or to find fame.  It's to bring as many as we can to Christ.  Today's English Version says in 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, 'Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.'  2 Corinthians 5:20 says, 'We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.'  Finally, the Great Commission says, 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'

   So this thing I've heard called 'religiosity' gets in the way.  We make it our intention to keep our Christian friends, but make it our mission to go out and 'convert' people.  Sometimes we even think of non-Christians as lesser creatures who need to be shown the light.  In our focus for evangelism, we forget one of the main points of the Bible: Love.  The Bible is riddled with verses telling us to love others.  When Jesus came to the earth, he tells us that the command to love others is only second to the command to love God.  When we see a non-Christian, we shouldn't look at them as a project; we should look at them as someone who needs love.  We all need love.  Actions do speak louder than words, so instead of wasting our breath and telling non-Christians how they'll go to hell if they don't accept Christ, show them you love them.  A song goes 'They will know we are Christians by our love.'  1 John 4:7 says, 'Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.'  Become friends with someone before you begin telling them about God.  You never know; they might be the ones to ask you about Him.

   I know some of you may be thinking, 'WHAT?!  Friendship with a non-Christian is more important than their salvation?!'  I'm not saying that at all.  I'm sure there have been several Christians who were led to Christ by someone they barely knew.  But which approach do you think is more effective?  Are you going to give up on a non-Christian if your efforts to evangelize fail?  Or are you going to instead choose to be that person's friend, loving that friend no matter what choice they make?  What kind of signal does it send about Christians when they choose evangelism over love?

   I have a friend right now who isn't a Christian.  I love him dearly and care about what he does.  We do not always see eye to eye, but that doesn't matter.  He asks me questions about Christianity; he's curious.  However, I know that if I had approached him and told him that unless he repents he's going to hell, he would have tuned me out, and we probably wouldn't be friends.  To have someone love him unconditionally is more of a witness than any words could be.

   There you have it.  It's your choice.  Are you going to stick with your Christian circle, or are you going to love everyone as Christ commanded us to do?  Think about Jesus himself!  His life is the example of what we should all follow.  What did he do?  He hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes.  He loved them instead of judging them as most everyone else did.  And that was effective.