What does the BIBLE have to say about the frienships we make?
There is nothing bad if a God's Child has friends. The Bible tells us that many devoted followers of God had friends; ( Job 2:11; David, 2 Samuel 15:37, John, 3 & John 14). Even Jesus referred to His disciples as "My friends", (John 15:14-15). It is significant, the fact that Solomon wrote no less than 32 Proverbs about chosing friendships wisely.
Friendship is a gift from God. It is a positive force in our life, destined to strengthen our paths. Friends are good for us; they are part of God's plan in our life. BUT just as other gifts God gives us, we need to know how to use it.
➡ SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIPS
The Scripture teaches us that friends will have influence on us ALWAYS. Regardless of our strong faith, our strong spiritual beliefs, determination and self-control we think we have- we will ALWAYS be influenced. Solomon wrote: 'Make NO friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, Lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul'. (Prov 22:24-25)
Being Spiritual is to be taught by the Holy Spirit, that produces love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control (Gal 5:22-23). Spiritual friends will create an atmosphere where these qualities will evolve. Spiritual friends are those have accepted Jesus Christ in their life and are being changed by the Holy Spirit, they too have a close and personal relationship to God and ENCOURAGE us to have a closer relationship with God also. These friends are hungry for God's words (Bible) & supports us in fasting & prayers. These are the type of friends God likes us to have!
Lets be honest, how many times, when all those around you talk about Jesus, but you want to talk about other things that are irrelevant and not useful? How hard is it to talk about Jesus when the topic of conversation is gossip, fashion, favourite Tv show etc...? Friendships excercise all type of pressure upon us. God's children should not step foot in dangerous places where you are surrounded by non-believers & cannot talk about Jesus.
The Bible teaches us that a friendship is bonded together if we obey God. Jesus said: 'you are My friends IF you do whatever I command you to' (John 15:14). Many will say...'BORING'!!!!! Who would want a friend that does ONLY what God wants? Where's the fun in that? What do we GAIN from obeying God;
1.) 'If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My LOVE'
2.) 'My JOY will remain in you, and that your joy may be full'
3.) 'No longer do I call you a servant, but I have called you My friend'
4.) 'I chose you...to bear fruit....and WHATEVER you ask My Father in My name He may give you'
(John 15:10-17). These are some immense gains!!
I chose to remain in His love! Do you??? In this world full of hate, ego and greed, His love surrounds us. His love is NOT conditional but in fact 'UNCONDITIONAL' for His children. His love is unchangeable & everlasting.
Godly friendships based on obedience, are holy, joyful, healthy, strong, disciplined and full of love. These blessed friendships are bonded & they last through trials and turbulance. John 15:13 says "No greater love than to lay down one's life for his friend'. That is exactly what Jesus did for us. Hallelujah! To God be all the glory!
Choose your friends as would Jesus chose His. Those who are faithful, righteous & hopeful in Jesus Christ. Abraham was called ' the friend of God', because he believed God and was righteous (James 2:23). Abraham trusted God and His timing. His faith was remarkable, regardless of their old age, because he knew God & God walked with him step by step, protecting him from life turbulance. God blessed him with food, land & at the end (the impossible) God blessed him with a child, as promised. These are the type of friends we should seek & pray for; a person who trusting in the Lord Jesus is too Jesus's friend!
Abraham learned to 'walk by faith not by sight', (2 Cor 5:7). This is NOT easy, but imagine the comfort & protection of having a friend, that in the midst of a horrific storm at sea, stands up on His feet on top of the ship's deck and says: 'Be at ease, for I believe God for it will be just as I was told' (Acts 27:25). Apostle Luke would have been please to have such faithful friend like Apostle Paul!
➡ NEGATIVE FRIENDSHIPS
Many ask.....how can we weigh the commandment 'DO NOT love the world or the things in the world' (1John 2:15) VS 'God so loved the world that He gave His only son' (John 317)? Or how can we make affirmations such as: 'Friendship with the world is enemy with God' (James 4:4) VS the fact Jesus was 'a friend of tax collectors & sinners' (Matt 11:19)?
It is important to understand the 'term' world. The word 'WORLD' in the new New Testament refers to:
1.) EARTH, the physical planet we live on, which has a beginning (Matt) 24:21 & a foundation (Matt 25:34).
2.) MANKIND, world formed of people who God loves (John 3:16), and for who Jesus is light for (John 8:12).
3.) SINFUL ACTIONS, ATTITUDES & LIFESTYLES which are dominated and influenced by SATAN and characterized from 'lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life (1John 2:16, John 12:31). DO NOT BEFRIEND SUCH WORLD!!!!!!!
Apostle Paul writes about the 'basic principles of the world' (Col 2:20) which include: sexual immoralities, uncleanness, passion, evil, desire, idolatry & greed (Col 3:5). Also included are: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy languages out of our mouth, lies' (Col 3:8-9) ALL these sins belong to the 'world' and are hated by God!
The Bible describes the 'WORLD' as a corrupted place through lust (2 Peter: 1:4) & immoral darkness (Fil 2:15), 'world of sorrow' (James 1:27), 'world of lust' ( 1John 2:16). These are the words of Apostel John: ' For ALL that is in the WORLD - is NOT of the Father but is of the WORLD'!!!!!! We can now clarify why James says: ' Friendship with the world is enemy with God' (James4:4).
Regardless of the fact that Jesus Christ was born in this world of mankind, He was NOT like the world. We must follow in His footsteps. He was a ' true friend of the sinners' and specifically came to call them to repentance (Matt 9:13) 'For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance'.
Lord Jesus dedicated His time, effort, patients & geniunely cared about the sinners; He ate from same table as them, spoke to them, listened to their needs & problems. 'Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost' (Luke 19:10). We too, must follow in His footsteps, however, prayer, fasting, wisdom & Word of God is the key essential to succeed. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise' (Prov 11:30). Jesus seeked for those 'lost sheep', he went to them. It is our responsibility to show others, through our deeds, that Jesus, in fact comforts those individuals & seek them. We may need to join them at home, picnic or at a tennis game, however NEVER join them in their WORDLY ENTOURAGES; clubs, bars, parties & restaurants..****TO BE A FRIEND OF A SINNER IS NOT AN EXCUSE TO BE A SINNER!!!!!!A start of a friendship may lead to a positive path, however we need to dedicate our time & give opportunity to get to know individuals & their problems.
A friendship does not mean that we will agree with those whom we are trying to win over for Jesus, nor will we behave like them, nor join them where they go. The world's vanity will leave wrong impressions about Jesus Christ and will influence our attitudes, thoughts & emotions. God teaches us to NOT LOVE THE WORLD (1John 2:15), but to love one another as He loves us unconditionally!
May the Lord bless us with geniune, wonderful, God fearing, loving spiritual friends in Christ to grow and prosper in our friendships. May the Lord protect & guide us in this evil & sinful world! May He help us seek in the right places so that we can win souls for His glory and to guide them towards repentance. May the Holy Spirit fill us with wisdom and knowledge about the Scripture so that all questions can be answered and people accept Jesus in their life. Everything we do, put before God and ask for confirmation because He knows best. Everything we do, lets do it solely for His PRAISE & GLORY for only He is worthy!
