As Christians, our goal is to become like Jesus in every aspect of our lives. We are to emulate Jesus in all of our relationships. We want to take His example and become just like it. One area is in friendships. When you think of the traits that Jesus possesses as a friend, what comes to mind?
The characteristics that I think of are things like honesty, openness, dependability, unconditional love, trustworthy, generous, good listener, and no agenda. These are just a few of the traits I think are essential in a Jesus-focused friendship. Jesus is always there when we need Him like a good friend should be. He never lies to us and is all too worthy of our trust. He is generous and considerate with His time and gifts towards us. He listens to us when we need to spill our guts to someone. He comforts us. He has no agenda but to love us unconditionally. That is what I want my friendships to look like.
It is so important to have relationships with other believers that you can depend on. A true friendship in Christ is one where you lift each other up and always point each other to Jesus. You each share the load equally and make up the difference where one is deficient. It is crucial for us to have these fellowships to draw strength from. A good friend always encourages you and reminds you of the truth in love, no matter how hard it is to hear. They keep you on your feet and prevent you from slipping into darkness.
Do not confuse friendships in Christ with ministerial friendships. We need both to bring people to Jesus! When you have friendships that are devoted to bringing someone to Jesus, they are not going to be able to be there for you the same way your brother or sister in Christ will be. Do not have the same expectations you would of your Jesus friends.
Do not underestimate the power of friends in Christ or the power of being a good friend to someone who needs Jesus without the same expectations back. Are you being a friend like Jesus? Do you have friends like Jesus? We cannot run this race alone. Ask the Lord to bring you further into community if you are feeling isolated. From them you will gain strength.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (NIV)
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)
Proverbs 18:24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (ESV)
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (ESV)
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (ESV)
The characteristics that I think of are things like honesty, openness, dependability, unconditional love, trustworthy, generous, good listener, and no agenda. These are just a few of the traits I think are essential in a Jesus-focused friendship. Jesus is always there when we need Him like a good friend should be. He never lies to us and is all too worthy of our trust. He is generous and considerate with His time and gifts towards us. He listens to us when we need to spill our guts to someone. He comforts us. He has no agenda but to love us unconditionally. That is what I want my friendships to look like.
It is so important to have relationships with other believers that you can depend on. A true friendship in Christ is one where you lift each other up and always point each other to Jesus. You each share the load equally and make up the difference where one is deficient. It is crucial for us to have these fellowships to draw strength from. A good friend always encourages you and reminds you of the truth in love, no matter how hard it is to hear. They keep you on your feet and prevent you from slipping into darkness.
Do not confuse friendships in Christ with ministerial friendships. We need both to bring people to Jesus! When you have friendships that are devoted to bringing someone to Jesus, they are not going to be able to be there for you the same way your brother or sister in Christ will be. Do not have the same expectations you would of your Jesus friends.
Do not underestimate the power of friends in Christ or the power of being a good friend to someone who needs Jesus without the same expectations back. Are you being a friend like Jesus? Do you have friends like Jesus? We cannot run this race alone. Ask the Lord to bring you further into community if you are feeling isolated. From them you will gain strength.
Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (NIV)
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (NIV)
Proverbs 18:24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (NLT)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (ESV)
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (ESV)
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (ESV)
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