Do You Follow A Godly Pattern Of Friendship In Your Relationships?
Good Morning Friends,
The Bible has given us scripture that sets patterns for prayer and for giving and being successful and for being a parent and a spouse. It gives us patterns for evangelizing and for worship and discipleship. The pattern we explore today is the foundation for making good friends and it ties it all together. Do You Follow A Godly Pattern Of Friendship In Your Relationships?
Scripture: Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4 (NRSV)
One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.
Proverbs 17:9 (NRSV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NRSV)
Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens the wits of another.
Proverbs 27:17 (NRSV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 (NRSV)
A friend loves at all times, and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 (NRSV)
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (NRSV)
‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.’
John 15:12-17 (NRSV)
Message: Yesterday morning I was in a small group discussing how Jesus helps us be a good example for healthy relationships. And we discussed what gets in our way of making friends and it was really a discussion of what keeps us from being Christians. Not wanting people to know who we really are and pride was the common comments as to our barriers. Still it was acknowledged that despite our desire for isolation everyone needs friends. We came to the conclusion that having the right friends is critical to growing in our walk with Christ. But how do we learn what friendship really is? How do we really have a relationship with God? We acknowledged that as Christians it is our job to be models of friends so others and especially our family can discover what a friend really is all about. The Bible has a lot to say about friends. I hope you see the patterns. Check out the scripture of the day and meditate on it. See how the model of Jesus instructs us. Be reminded that Jesus is a companion. Jesus is a collaborator. Jesus is a confidant. Jesus is a defender. Jesus is a lover. Friends, Jesus is our friend but also an example of how we can be a friend to others. Meditate on how Jesus communicates with others. Meditate on the reality that his relationship with the Father is always in place before he interacted with others. Meditate on what it means to be a friend. Maybe today we see that in order to effectively be a friend we must make sure that we have surrendered to Christ’s pattern and are connected to the part we are to play in the grand design. Friends, today be a friend to another person that needs a friend.
Pray we dare to be ourselves.
Pray we have friends that stand up for us. Pray we are open enough to cry and sing and laugh with friends. Pray the pattern of our friendships glorifies God. Pray we realize we have a friend in Jesus. Pray we realize that we cannot truly be a friend unless Jesus is part of the relationship…unless God the Father is part of the relationship. Pray we never take friendships for granted. Pray we be a compassionate collaborator, and confidant to others as a witness to the love of Jesus in us. Pray our friends fuel us emotionally. Pray we know our friends deepest pains so we might help them heal. Pray we have faithful friends that help us trust and obey. Pray we be an example of Christ like friendship to others. Pray that we are examples of encouragement and accountability. Pray that we are people of integrity. Pray that our words are matched by our deeds….that the passion of our faith is an example to others seen in the processes and patterns of our lifestyle. Pray that we prepare ourselves daily by studying the Word of God. Pray the love in us is made real through the power of God. Pray God abide with us so we might be good friends.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 