This is our fifth post to help you to be as clear as possible in speaking with unbelievers, explaining why some common Christians phrases shouldn't be used in witnessing encounters as they are either unbiblical or are very easily misunderstood by the unbeliever.
The fifth phrase not to use is: "You can become friends with God".
Why not to use it:
• What's the necessity? "I already have enough friends, I don't care whether I have one extra friend", an unbeliever will easily think.
• Misses the point: While it is true that through faith in Christ we do become friends with God, the issue is not that we are just missing out on a friendship which we could potentially have, but that we are by nature enemies of God because of our sin which means God's wrath abides upon us and therefore we headed for eternal hell. That is why we need forgiveness through Jesus to be saved from the wrath that is to come.
Instead, it's better to say:
• "You need to get right with God as soon as possible, because you now know that if you died today you'd end up in hell. But God is offering you mercy now, if you'd trust that Jesus died for your sins. When will you do that?"