Best Friends
READ: John 3:16
John and Jim were best friends. They had known each other since first grade, and were now seniors in high school. Lately, Jim has been developing a bad attitude, skipping church and drinking on the weekends. Jim had been feeling bad about himself, and started drinking for comfort.
When John found out about Jim's new habit, he immediately talked to him. "Jim, do you know what you are putting into your body? Have you forgotten about Jesus? Didn't He die to save you, and look how you repay Him. By damaging your body, His temple! Come on Jim, tell me what's wrong."
"Shut up! You sound like my parents. Don't you know how to have a good time any more? Why don't you take your "Jesus" garbage and go somewhere else!"
That night Jim drove drunk and wrapped his car around a tree. He spent the next week in the hospital, and left with a few broken ribs. However, John was at the hospital every day reading to Jim from the Bible.
On Jim's last day at the hospital, John read him John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jim said, "Does that really mean me? I've been too bad for God's forgiveness."
"Of course it means you, Jim - Jesus died for all of us. We're all sinners, but, when we repent, we are forgiven. That's the great thing about God. He loves us all - even the worst of sinners."
When Jim got out of the hospital, he and John began attending church on a regular basis again. Jim even began helping in Sunday School.
You see, no sin is so great that it can't be forgiven. God loves us all and promises to forgive all who repent.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: Is any sin too great to be forgiven? Would you give up on your friend? Did Jesus give up on us sinners? How would you have helped Jim, if you were his friend?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Read Ephesians 5. Examine your life according to it. Get together with your friends, and talk about your sins and how to deal with them. Ask God to help you live a life that is pleasing to Him.