Eternal Friendships

Galatians 5:22, 23 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things!

These verses are used in a variety of ways. They pretty clearly spell out the heart and action attitude of every believer and follower of Jesus Christ. If our lives do not reflect these attributes, there is refining work to submit to!

I’m going to reflect on these verses in how our relationships with friends can glorify our overall Kingdom work.

First, a prayer for all of us: Heavenly Father, pour into us Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Give each of us spiritual wisdom and understanding so we will grow in maturity, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13 (NLT). I pray our hearts will be flooded with light so we can understand the wonderful future You have promised us and the glorious inheritance You have called us to accept and pass on each day. Allow us to understand the great power, which raised Christ from the dead, that You have  given each of us who believe You and Your son. Thank You for your authority over heaven and earth which You gave Your Son Jesus Christ for our benefit; that we as the whole Church body would pass on to benefit Your Kingdom. It is in Jesus’ name, who fills everything everywhere with His presence that we praise You. Amen.

When we keep to ourselves, we allow satan to gain a foothold to our lives. In godly friendships, we can safely bare our weaknesses, be strengthened and refined (Proverbs 27:17, NLT - As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend). Our primary Godly friendship is with God Himself – in that relationship, we are made complete and perfect while becoming perfected (Matthew 5:48, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 10:14). He gives us all the equipping we need each time we meet and listen to Him.

After we are refreshed in our daily relationship with God, we can accurately reflect and share our Creator, Savior and Eternal Friend to our earthly friends both christian and non-christian. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) states that if we walk with the wise we become wise but a companion of fools suffers harm. This does not mean that we cannot have friends who are unbelievers but our friends who have the most eternal potential and influence are people who strive to live and encourage us to live God’s way. We don’t need nor should we have friends who use us, wear us down, are jealous, talk disrespectfully or insult us or others, gossips about others or tries to get close to your spouse. If your friendship is godly, it will bear the fruit of Holy Spirit – He guides each of us to all truth (John 16:13-15).

Godly friends build you up, enrich your life and allow you to do the same for them. Trustworthy and faithful companions to talk to, pray with and offer help with small and big issues. Most importantly, a godly friendship will continually point you back to the standard of Christ and encourage you in ways to seek Him in all you do. The Power We Have As Friends, Friends Are Friends Forever - oldie but goodie

Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.