From Friction to Conversion

Some believers might be reluctant to tell their friends about Christ because they are afraid it will cause friction in, or even terminate, the relationship. But it just may be that very tension, that very friction, which produces conversion in the life of that individual. If you are always trying to be cool and get along with everyone, and if you never stand your ground or speak up for your faith, then you will reach no one.

Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household’ " (Matthew 10:34–36).

"Wait," some might say. "That is in the Bible? I thought Jesus was loving."

Yes, He is. He loves us so much that He will confront us in our sin. Sometimes when one member of a family becomes a Christian, friction develops. There are problems. That person has changed the whole dynamic of the family. It was always about drinking and the dirty jokes. Then all of a sudden, there you are, not laughing at the jokes. There you are, Mr. I-Want-to-Pray-before-the-Meal. There are some family members who think it isn’t a good thing that you became a Christian because it has created friction. What a party pooper, man. Oh brother!

But that friction is a result of the conviction of sin. A light just came into a dark place. Now, that little bit of friction can create conversation. And that conversation in the lives of some brings conversion.

Sometimes before there can be ultimate unity, there has to be a temporary division.