Wandering Friend

Bible Reading: 1 John 5:16a

Did you know that it is our responsibility to help friends who have wandered away from God get back on the path that God wants them to be on? 1 John 5:16a tells us “If anyone sees his brother commit

a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life.”

Here are some things that you can do to help a wandering friend return to God:

1. If they are doing something that is not expressly forbidden by God, be patient and understanding (Romans 14:1).

2. Avoid pointless criticism (Romans 14:1).

3. Gently encourage your friend to return to God and seek God’s plan for his or her life (Romans 14:19).

4. Be sure that you aren’t doing something that might be causing your friend’s faith to waver (Romans 14:21).

5. Be willing to give up your rights to help your friend (Romans 15:1, 2).

6. Gently redirect your friend back onto the right path (Romans 15:5, 6).

7. Help your friend feel united with Christ and the rest of the Christian family (Romans 15:5, 6).

8. Love and accept your friend as Jesus does (Romans 15:7).

9. Remind your friend of the joy and peace available to those who trust God (Romans 15:13).

10. Ask another Christian to help you guide your friend back onto the path that Jesus blazed (Matthew 18:16).

“One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to help my wandering friend find the way back to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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