The time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery...

   - 1 Peter 4.3, 4

Let their hearts be pure and holy; in time of unbelief let them remain steadfast. Let them be faithful in their speech, and unstinting with their help.

  - The Rule of Ailbe, Irish, 7th century

It’s not that we can’t or shouldn’t have friends among unbelievers.

It’s simply that we shouldn’t live the way they do.

Everything about us – our outlook, demeanor, habits of work and dress, cultural interests, conversation, the way we relate to others – should declare that we have repudiated the vulgarity and insipidity of the age, together with its immorality, whether overt or implied. We are new creatures, people of hope in the glory of God, and everything about us should be surprising to those around us who do not know the Lord.

Sadly, what would be surprising in this age of unbelief is to find many Christians who live this way.

Every time some new poll or report comes out indicating that Christians aren’t all that different from everyone else, I groan and wonder who’s teaching these believers that they shouldn’t expect all things in their lives to be made new in Jesus.

It’s just too easy to fit in comfortably with our unbelieving age. And when ministers suggest that our comfortable, materialistic, self-centered way of living is, you know, out of step with the Gospel, the people of God get restive and resentful.

Each of us needs to examine his own heart: is it pure and holy, so that we are faithful in speaking the things of Christ and unstinting in our service to others?

Anyone can live like the majority of our secular and material contemporaries do. It comes to us naturally.

But we are called not to natural living, but supernatural living – to a life of following Him Who is making all things new.

In this time of increasing unbelief, how will the world know that faith means anything significant at all?

Unless through you and me?

Psalm 101.3-5 (Jesus, I Come: “Out of My Bondage, Sorrow, and Night”)
I will the works of wickedness scorn – Praise to You, Lord! Praise to You, Lord!
They shall not grip me, evening or morn – Praise to You, holy Lord!
I will the blameless way ever heed; no worthless thing my eye shall impede.
When will You come and care for my need? Praise to You, holy Lord!

Lord, You have called us to Your Kingdom and glory; let my speech be faithful and my life an example of virtue in all I do. Adapted from Jonas, Life of St. Columban