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EDUCATION - THE LORD'S CONCERN

Bible

Friend Indeed

(November 98)

(Prov. 17:17)

There is not warmth at all with some saints; they are just unfriendly. They do not care what they say, what they do and whom they hurt. These are the types of people that believe that they must say what is on their mind and do not care who it hurts. Their actions are justified to themselves because they are the ones benefiting from their behavior or actions. They do not have many friends because they do not show themselves as being the friendly type as the scripture tells us how they should be in (Prov. 18:24).

"A man [that hath] friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend [that] sticketh closer than a brother."

Friend: By definition a friend is...

1: one attached to another by respect or affection

2: acquaintance

3: one who is not hostile

4: one who supports or favors something

5: a member of the Society of Friends (Quaker)

A friend is so much more than that what is defined in the dictionary. There is also a difference in an aquaintance and in a friend.

Jesus formed a small group as soon as He began His public ministry. He called together a pretty rough group of twelve men and started with them at ground zero. For three and a half years He spent a majority of His time with these twelve men. He taught them. He listened to them. He ministered with them and to them. They laughed together. They cried together. They went through joyful triumphant moments, and moments of despair and seemingly hopelessness. These men became more than just people; they became friends.

Listen to what Jesus spoke of what a friend is. Jn. 15:12-14 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Jesus modeled to us something we all need--we need each other. If this is the way Jesus built His church while on earth, perhaps we should do the same. If Jesus modeled ministry in this way, maybe we should also demonstrate ourselves as a friend. None of us are fully equipped to live a high quality of life as "islands unto ourselves." Feelings of isolation, personal weaknesses, blind spots, limited capabilities, and lack of experience all point to one need--interdependence. This is why connecting with others plays such an indispensable role in Christian growth. That is why friends are so important.

a gift from God!

always there whenever we need a shoulder to cry on.

one to share our joys as well as our sorrows.

one that is not judgmental of our deeds.

one who loves us even when they may not approve of our actions.

one who does not ask if we need help, but is there for they already know.

one who loves you for what you are, not what they want you to be.

one who cares not the color of your skin.

one who cares only about what is within your soul.

one who is not a friend because they happen to be near where you live.

one who is a friend no matter the distance that separates you.

one who cares enough to tell you the truth, even when it is not easy.

one who will respect your privacy and not talk about you behind your back.

one who does not judge the differences between you.

one who cherishes you because of those differences.

one who realizes that you are special and unique.

Jesus was a friend of the sinners, the society misfits, the hurting, the people who could ruin his reputation. He didn't merely minister to them or talk to them once in a while--He was their friend!

You and the church needs to be a friend to the very same kind of people.

A Prayer

Father God in the name of Jesus, forgive us for being unfriendly. Give us the warmth of being a friend that others will run to in a time of need. I thank You for Your Word that I may grow and be a doer of Your Holy Word, Amen.

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