When you follow Jesus, sometimes it's your "close friends/associates/family" that fight you the hardest.

I usually begin with scripture and spend the rest of the posting in an explanation of that scripture. As you have seen, the last couple were not in that pattern and neither will this one be. 

Making the commitment to follow Jesus is a wonderful thing. It's choosing to give up your sins, your selfishness, and your old life in order to begin learning to live life by God's rules. It's learning to have faith in and completely trust the God of the universe with everything in your life: Finances, Relationships, Jobs, entertainment, time, health, and so on. 

But, notice I didn't say following Jesus was easy. I didn't say "making a decision for Jesus." In fact, there's no scripture that says we are to "make a decision for Jesus." Following Jesus is not like deciding what outfit to wear. In your closet, there are multiple choices and all may have equal merit. In Jesus, it's an all or nothing thing. It's a total commitment or it's no relationship with Jesus at all. 

There is no other choice if going to heaven is our goal. It's Jesus or Hell. It's his way or the end of the highway. 

But, there's another thing we must be aware of: some people that we respected will not be in favor of our new belief nor the life changes that accompany it. 

First, let's look at family. The people that we have looked to for the better part of our lives for comfort, counsel, and even help, may not give positive feedback to your commitment. Some may only give a cursory "That's nice," or, "I'm happy for you." Other's may be outright hostile towards you. People have lost family relationships with parents, siblings, children, close kin, and spouses due to their becoming a Biblical Christian. 

When Jesus began his public mission his brothers openly mocked him. They believed he was about lifting himself up. They thought he was another false Messiah: 

2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.

3 His brethren, therefore, said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

4 For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

(John 7:2-4)

Jesus didn't defend himself. He didn't attack them. He just calmly went about his business. But, due to the witness of the spirit of God in his life, his mother and at least 2 brothers (James and Jude) became his followers. 

So, pray for them and live the life of Jesus before them. There's always hope that they will see Jesus in you and be converted one day. 

There's evidence (inconclusive) in the scripture that Paul was married at one time. I believe he was. Part of being a good Pharisee was to be married and carry on his Jewish heritage through his family line. 

I also believe that Paul was divorced. 

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. (1 Corinthians 7:12-15)

He says this with the sensitivity of a man who had lived and prayed through the process of losing his spouse himself. 

I believe the great Apostle Paul lost his spouse due to his conversion to Jesus. 

As a Pharisee, Paul had grown to be a powerful and popular man. He worked hand in hand with the Sanhedrin (Pharisees and Sadducees) in trying to stamp our Christianity. (Acts chapters 8&9). He was trained and educated by the famous teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3-5). 

Yet, after he was converted, the same men that had once been his allies became his greatest enemies. They persecuted him and had him beaten 5 times in the same way Jesus was beaten, he was beaten with a rod 3 times and stoned once - at the behest of his once-close colleagues! (2 Corinthians 11:24-31)

Yes, when we decide to commit to and obey Jesus, it changes our lives for the better spiritually, but it can also bring on a whole host of other problems we've never faced. Some of them extremely painful. Paul lost friends, family, and respected colleagues. He lost position in society, money, and position in the Temple he'd grown up in and loved.

But, he gained the high calling of Jesus! 

Living for Jesus is not a cakewalk. It takes real commitment. There are many things that the world will throw at you in its efforts to pull you away from Jesus. It is not easy. That's why it takes more than a decision for Jesus. It takes a commitment. And with that commitment comes obedience to Jesus. 

Without obedience, he cannot be our Lord. If he is not our Lord, he cannot be our Savior. 

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.