In my younger years of high school, I often wrestled with the significance of cultivating friendships with fellow believers—is it really that important, and if so, why?

This summer I had the privilege of attending two weeks of Theological Foundations for Youth (TFY) at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary (RPTS) in Pittsburgh, Pa., as well as a three-day youth trip to Kentucky with North Hills, Pa., RPC and Grace (Gibsonia, Pa.) RPC. It has been a blessing to meet so many like-minded youth and fellowship with one another, and the importance of these friendships in my life has become evident.

Seeking First the Kingdom Alongside Others

Second Corinthians 6:14 says, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?” Although not as commonly used today, a yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen or other animals to enable them to pull a load together when working in pairs. Imagine if an ox was yoked to a horse. The task set before them wouldn’t be accomplished with as much ease as two oxen or two horses. In the same way, as believers, we should seek to cultivate friendships that push us and challenge us in our calling to know God and make Him known, rather than invest in friendships that discourage us in our pursuit of God or cause us to steer away from our faith.

Living life with people who have the same end goal as you (Matt. 6:33) is not only crucial, but also a blessing. Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” Be aware of who you surround yourself with. Ask yourself: Is this friendship challenging me in my faith? Does it make me love God more?

God-Honoring Friendships

“Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24). In order to cultivate godly friendships, we must be a godly friend! We are called to encourage one another and spur one another on in doing good works.

It has been a privilege to see the bond between me and my Christian friends grow through prayer, having intentional conversations about God and His world, and by simply opening up the Bible and encouraging one another with His truths. As we are called to be salt and light to a dark, rotting world (Matt. 5:13–16), let us pray that our relationships would make our light shine even brighter, our faith even deeper.

Friendships that glorify God are important to any age of believer, but they are especially vital to the younger Christian. It is far too easy to be swayed from doing good and pursuing Christ in your youth as you seek out your identity and make your faith your own. If you are a young person reading this, please know that it is worth it to cultivate those friendships that push you and challenge you in your faith. These relationships aren’t always going to be easy, but they are the ones that will last.

This doesn’t mean that we are to stop investing in our friendships with unbelievers as a whole. By all means, be friends with unbelievers! Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Let us first and foremost build solid friendships with like-minded Christians, and then seek to share the gospel and be a witness to those of our friends who don’t know God.

In my personal life, God has used good friends to encourage me in my walk with Him, and through these friendships I have tasted and seen that He is good (Ps. 34:8). The greatest friendship we could ever have is with Christ, which was made possible through God sending His Son to this earth to die for our sins. John 15:13 reads, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”