How do you reconcile “do not desire to be with evil men” (Prov 24:1) with Jesus, friend of sinners (Mat 11:19)? How do you harmonize “friendship with the world is hostility toward God” (Jam 4:4) with “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mat 22:39)?

A pastor in Los Angeles went so far in trying to relate to prostitutes to reach them for Jesus that he ended up sleeping with one. On the other hand, it breaks my heart to see parents telling their kids, “Don’t be friends with worldly people!” Aren’t you glad that wasn’t Jesus’ attitude when He decided to become our friend (Rom 5:8)?

In Matthew 9, Jesus Christ offers the classic example of how to befriend the lost without compromising.