I think it depends on the type of Christian friendship. Some Christians get sucked into an exclusively Christian, incredibly church-centered social life, to the exclusion of everything else.

I do think some sort of faith community is important, like having a prayer group or a Bible study, because faith shouldn't have to exist alone. It's better if you can talk about it, openly and honestly, and have people to pray with and for you.

Jesus was known as "the friend of sinners." 

Coming from the religious people of his day, that wasn't exactly a compliment.  (Think, "There's that guy who hangs out with hookers, drug dealers, and corrupt politicians.")

Coming from sinners, it was.

Not to discount the importance (indeed I'd say the necessity) of regular fellowship with people who can encourage you in your walk with God.  But the "salt of the earth" ought to get out of the shaker.

@Pass_the_Aura@xanga - I don't think anyone is arguing that Christians should have exclusively Christian friends, just that they should have some.

We were not created to be alone. We were created for fellowship and to be the body of Christ, working together for His glory.

Is it okay? It's probably not sinful, per se. It's as much okay as not reading your bible or praying is okay. It's definitely not ideal nor is it what has been commanded of us.

If you are a Christian, don't you have a covenant with God? Why would you need a covenant with other Christians to keep each other accountable?

@Pass_the_Aura@xanga - Yes, Jesus was a "friend of sinners," but he also had his intimate group of disciples. I heard someone say that three of Jesus' disciples were his closest confidants, and then the other disciples were a little less intimate with him, then the rest he came in contact with were not his bosom buddies, but he still hung out with them. I think that's a pretty good model. 

@SandraDeeDees@xanga - Although we do have a covenant and relationship with God, he still places people there to help us grow in our walk. Plus, we can't handle ministry alone in this world..we need others right? Accoutability is Very important and it also says in Matt 29:41, "Watch and Pray that ye enter not into temptation; the Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (KJV)

Gal 6:1-3 says, "Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godlyshould gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important." (NLT)

It says in Ecc 4:9-12, "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken." (NLT)

John 15:13, "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (NLT)

I personally feel my strongest when I am surrounded by Christian friends.  But I do think that some people can not have close Christian friends but still fellowship with other Christians. 

@UTAlan@xanga - @GodArt@xanga - I agree.  I've just seen too many people who use "having Christian friends" as a buzzword for "being completely submerged in the American Christian subculture without any contact with the outside world."  Of course, doing it the right way (i.e. having fellowship with believers who encourage you in your faith and witness) is not only good but necessary.

Great comments.  God's word tells us to fellowship with other believers.  If you are fellowshipping you are creating a relationship with that person of some sort.  It doesn't mean that has to be our only circle of friends, and indeed it should not be.

Basically, I think the same as just about everyone else who has commented.

@SandraDeeDees@xanga - Well, by that measure, why have any relationships with any human outside of God?

Because we need them, that's why. God tells us as much. The first thing Jesus did when He started His ministry was to go out and found 12 people to work with Him.

I believe you should have at least one Christian friend to fellowship with and to lean on, bounce off ideas that might not be a good idea with others. Of course, you probably can have fellowship with Christians that are not your friends (ppl at church). But, I still think it's a good idea to have some Christian friends.

You should also have some other friends from other groups. How else are you going to get the Word out. It will keep going in circles between Christians. So, if you can, then it's a good idea to also have some other friends (just don't let them influence you too much. Keep to the Word)

I am not a Christian but I used to be.  This whole question about "associating" with non Christians is ridiculous.  How often did Jesus get criticized for having friends among sinners and tax collectors?  For allowing a prostitute to wash his feet.  And then he told her that she was saved.  In fact, it is always good to remember that there was only one person to whom Jesus promised he would see in heaven. The thief who was crucified along side him.  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Mat 7:21). You cannot know the heart and soul of "sinners" and have no right to judge them.  If your intention is to truly seek and save the lost, you must associate with the lost.  You must befriend them, know them, love them.  The way Jesus would have loved (presumably still loves) them.  Jesus himself did not judge even those that were too afraid to follow him.  He condemned those in spiritual power, the Pharasies, who passed judgments and made life difficult for the poor by enforcing strict and unnecessary rules.  Jesus "worked" on the Sabbath, something considered a sin at the time. 
You might wonder why I say I am not a Christian.  I was in a very strictly biblical church until I was 14.  But I never felt close to God, never felt right in my life until I stopped kidding myself, especially in regards to whom I would be friends with.  You know what, my non Christian friends were a better moral influence on me than my Christian ones. Because the kids that had casual sex, got drunk and experimented with drugs were Christian.  The ones that appeared righteous, that wore their faith like a badge for everyone to see.  And they looked down on me for not being like them.  Sorry it just gets me riled when I see things like this question.  Because not only is it unfair, and hurtful to people like me, it is an unchristian attitude.  My morality is not wrapped up in the building where I worship or the crowds of people pretending to be holier than they are.
I do not mean to insult any of you who are Christian.  I still have several friends that are Christian and my whole family as well.  And I see that mostly everyone who has commented admitted that having non Christian friends is perfectly okay.  I just have a problem with the need to ask this kind of question at all.