Our mothers told us, “… be careful who you hang out with.” They knew “bad company corrupts good character.”

But good company can have its risks as well. In the earliest days of the Christian church, hanging out with fellow believers (the very best company) could be a life-threatening experience, as Peter and John had just learned the hard way, as told in Acts 4:23-26:

 “When they had been released (from the hostile Jewish inquisition), they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And when they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, ‘Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘Why were the nations insolent,
And the peoples plotting in vain?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’”

Commenting on this glorious, yet life-threatening scene, Bible commentator Bill MacDonald wrote: “With an instinct of freeborn sons of God, the Apostles went directly to their fellow believers as soon as they were let go by the authorities. They sought and found their fellowship with ‘the panting, huddled flock whose only crime was Christ.’ So, in all ages, one test of a Christian’s character is where he finds fellowship and companionship.” 

This was a pivotal point in the early history of Christianity as hostile earthly and heavenly powers conspired to snuff out all remembrance of Christ.

Likewise, in today’s post-Christian culture, it has become increasingly harder for Christians to outwardly express their faith. The pressures to remain silent are many and intense.

In his book, What’s So Great About Christianity, author and filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza set forth a chilling summary of the current war on religion that is being waged on a global scale:

“The atheists no longer want to be tolerated. They want to monopolize the public square and to expel Christians from it. They want political questions like abortion to be divorced from religious and moral claims. They want to control school curricula so they can promote a secular ideology and undermine Christianity. They want to discredit the factual claims of religion, and they want to convince the rest of society that Christianity is not only mistaken but also evil. They blame religion for the crimes of history and for the ongoing conflicts in the world today. In short, they want to make religion — and especially the Christian religion — disappear from the face of the earth.”

Fear not believers, though. God’s got your back.

MacDonald added encouragingly, “Our God does not beat down the storms that rise against Him; He rides upon them; He works through them.”

When He walked this earth two millennia ago, Jesus displayed a particular tenderness toward His followers who were risking their all to associate with Him.

In Luke 12:31, he said, “But seek His (God’s) kingdom, and these things (the necessities of life) will be provided to you.”

Then, in verses 32-33, He invoked the image of vulnerable, defenseless creatures and said, “Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor does a moth destroy.”

He was saying that if you choose to “hang out” with Me, not only will you gain Heaven and all the eternal benefits of God’s glorious kingdom, but your temporal needs will also be provided during your brief earthly sojourn.

He added a caution to not be “clingy” to the things of this passing world, hold on to such things with a light grip and be ready to give them up without a second thought to someone in need.

Now that’s true freedom!

Jesus never promised that believers would be carried to Heaven on a bed of ease, quite the opposite. As written in Matthew 10:16-18, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves. But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; and you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.”

But “Oh my,” is it worth it.

How About You?

Who are you hanging out with? Who do you run to for fellowship and companionship?