Skip to main content

Friends in Christ

    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)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

He Time

     We have now gone over me time and we time, so today I want to address He time. It's a pretty simple concept-- that we have to spend time with Jesus to grow our faith. Just like anything else we want to get better at, you have to spend time doing it. In the case of Christianity, we are changed into the image of Jesus as we spend time with Him. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)     My message is as simple as this-- make sure that you are setting time aside for Christ. You will never change if you don't continually immerse yourself into His presence. We need to be spending time in His word so we know His promises and guidelines for our life, in prayer to speak to Him for individual direction in our circumstances, and worshipping Him for His goodness.     Do not le...

Here's to New Beginnings!

    As 2014 begins, with it comes talk of a fresh start and new beginnings. Resolutions are made to eat healthier, save money, travel, learn a new skill etc. But as Christ followers, the new year is always a good reminder of who we are in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. (HCSB) Galatians 2:20 and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (HCSB) Ephesians 4:22-24 You took off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. (HCSB) Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let...

Knock-Knock

Revelation 3:20   Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (ESV)     When you think of a gentleman what comes to mind? A man who holds open doors, pulls out your chair, and helps you with your coat? Whatever your definition is, one thing I think we can agree on is that a gentleman is never pushy. He is "gentle" and meek, respecting all those around him. To me, Jesus is the perfect example of a gentleman.     A gentleman never pushes for his way, but respects your thoughts and opinions even if they disagree with his own. But that doesn't mean that he lets his own beliefs fall to the wayside because of what you believe. Does that not describe Jesus? He waits for us to make our choices, but remains the same perfect, faithful and unchanging God. We were always created to have free will. We have a choice to have a relationship with Jesus, or not. To sin, or not. To...