I was walking last night and I saw one of my friends with gangs who wanted to kill me. By God’s grace I escaped from them. On the next day I saw him coming and he tried to call me. Should I respond?
It is so sad that a friend of yours would be a part of a gang that wants to hurt or kill you. Sometimes, the desire to be a part of a group or a gang is very powerful, and people find themselves a part of something terrible, just so they can be a part of something. The need to be accepted by our friends or peers can be great. I pray that you will be able to communicate with your friend on a ‘one on one’ basis. If you can be alone with your friend, he will be more likely to be open and honest with you. You may find out that he doesn’t really want to be a part of this gang after all. You may be the encouragement he needs to leave this group.
Your question reminded me of how much the Apostle Paul was called upon to suffer for the ‘sake of the Gospel’. Speaking of his sufferings, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28, “Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” Many of these sufferings came from the hands of the very ones he was trying to reach with the Gospel. It seems that wherever he went proclaiming the good news of salvation, he was opposed, and he suffered from it.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 16:9, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.” He realized when the Lord opened doors for him to minister God’s Word, but he also realized that the enemy was at work to prevent him. Through all this, Paul was not discouraged. We hear the desires of his heart in Colossians 4:3, “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.” Here, he asks for prayer from the saints that the Lord would continue to give him opportunities to “speak the mystery of Christ.” He did not hide from suffering or rejection. His desire was to share Christ with others.
I cannot tell you if you should put your life in danger in order to reach your friend for Christ. You need to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance for your actions. Remember, Paul walked through doors of opportunity that the Lord opened for him. You should ask the Lord to open a door of opportunity to speak to your friend and wait upon the Lord to show you that way.
I am encouraged that you are concerned for your friend. Even if he treats you terribly, remember the words of the Lord in Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” If he is truly your friend, then seek the Lord for a way to reach him for Christ. (422.6)