February 8, 2019 – Click here to listen
I’ve been influenced heavily in the past few days concerning friends and companionship. I am studying Ecclesiastes chapter by chapter with a friend and just this morning these verses jumped out at me:
- But woe to him who falls when he is alone
- Though he may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him and a threefold cord is not easily broken.
Clearly King Solomon the wisest man ever to live has revealed to us that one’s spouse, friends, church and community strengthen us especially in the dark times. In other words: We need friends!
Last night we went to a friend’s house for dinner and his parents and his wife’s parents were in attendance. The majority of the time was spent talking about the Lord and serving him. We had discussions about the meaning of several Bible passages over dinner and a good time was had by all. And when we departed my friend told me that he and his wife had recently made the decision to seek out more godly friends to spend their time with. I was happy to hear that he felt we fit into that category.
I have many friends ranging from saints to avowed atheists. I deliberately choose to spend some time with non-Christians as part of an evangelistic effort. I do use caution in this however; Proverbs 13:20 warns that this is indeed a slippery slope: He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harms.
King Solomon also wrote: As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Perhaps in addition to Godly friends getting sharpened some of our lost friends and acquaintances can too. Jesus spent time with overt sinners on many occasions in an effort to reach them with the Gospel and I try to emulate Him as much as I can. Some of those who ditched their former ways and followed Jesus actually became His trusted disciples and friends. Others rejected Him and sealed their own fate and the dust was kicked off His feet.
I probably don’t spend enough time nurturing those solid Godly friendships with my many friends around the world. I think it is a great weakness not to have friends; and not just any friends but good, righteous, and Godly friends. Guess I need to go through the old rolodex, (uh contact list,) and touch base with so-o-o-o-o many people.
If you don’t have many friends, it’s easy to find them. The Bible teaches that in order to have friends one must be friendly themselves. Ask someone to breakfast, lunch, or dinner for no other reason than to spend time together. Most importantly listen and try to discern how you might help them in some way; 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Selah . . .
Teach me ‘O Lord to love others as You first loved me!
Romans 12:10
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday! It is a great place to meet new friends . . .