A
child of God ought to be friendly, compassionate, and kind to all people, but indiscriminate,
intimate fellowship and familiarity with all is not expedient. To maintain a
holy and devout lifestyle, we must I.M.I.T.A.T.E
Christ’s life and habits in every aspect of life, including what we do socially
and with whom. Our Father has given us free will – we can do anything that is
within the law, but not everything is good for us.
Expediency - Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and
falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:11
In Choosing Friendships
Healthy friendships are important to our mental and
spiritual well-being; a godly and virtuous friend can be a lifeline in a crisis.
In times of physical, emotional, or spiritual suffering, we need our friends to
support us.
There is nothing on
this earth more to be prized than true friendship. Thomas Aquinas.
JESUS gave His life for us, His friends, “I have loved you even as the Father has
loved me…Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s
life for one’s friends. John 15:13.
We do not expect
our friends to die physically for us but we should seek to have friends that have
Christ-like values and qualities. Our closest friends ought to be devout children
of God with values similar to our own:
- Committed to love and support us in good times and bad. A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17
- Able to offer godly counsel and be an accountability partner when a behavior or character flaw is a threat to our holiness. The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray. Proverbs 12:26
- Able to speak the hard truth with love and compassion to correct a wrong-doing or error in judgement, even at the risk of offending. Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. Proverbs 27:6
- Able to keep our confidences sacred, be a source of strength and stand in the gap as a prayer warrior when we simply can’t. One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
- Love GOD’s WORD and can have discussions with us that edify, encourage and comfort. As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:1
- Try always to choose what pleases God, avoid evil and inspire us to do the same. Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20
We do not
choose our closest intimates from among unbelievers who do not share our values.
Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can
righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? Therefore,
come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says
the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.
More About Godly Friends – Romans12:15-16:
- Put God first, as well as the needs of others before his/her own.
- Are happy when we are happy, and weep with us when we weep.
- Do everything possible to maintain harmony in the relationship.
- Accept us with our flaws, just as Christ did.
- Continue to support, love and care even when it is hard to do so and causes great discomfort to them.
Regardless of a
person’s status in life – rich or poor, famous, infamous, or an “ordinary Joe,” a child of God engaging in intimate relationship with any unbelieving person risks being led into making unholy lifestyle choices and alienation from the Father.
"....I have called you friends, for everything that I learned
from my Father I have made known to you". John 15:15
To be
continued…
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, you are the One Eternal and Wise King, WHOM we adore! Thank you for Christ Jesus, who is our perfect example of true
friendship. Give us the passion to follow and imitate His lifestyle, abide by His
commands and learn from Him so we can choose godly friends and be a godly friend. Teach us to imitate good and not evil as Your WORD tells us that those who desire good belong to YOU and are
led of the Holy Spirit to love YOU who alone are good, and to WHOM
belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray
and ask all things in the Name of Jesus Christ YOUR Chosen SON and our LORD.
Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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