Saturday, August 23, 2003
I AM SO HONORED
I recently learned that my Blogspot has been added as a link to a Journal. Jenn Ho has added me. I don't think I've ever veen added as a link to a Journal or Blog before. I am so honored and humbled, too. Thanks, Jenn!
UNCOMPROMISING LOYALTY
I think what I am really talking about here is being able to sustain a relationship.
I like what Proverbs 27:9 & 10 says: “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one friend springs from his earnest counsel. Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father………”
1Corinthians 13:7, says, “If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.”
I have always considered the friendship of David and Jonathan one of the best examples of a sustained relationship. As I read about their friendship I see exemplified a lot of what I have been writing in these Blogs. This was a friendship where one was willing to die for the other.
To be a sustaining friendship it seems that it must also be a stimulating relationship. That seems to be the message behind that familiar verse in Proverbs: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” (27:17)
There are a few people whom I can’t be around without coming away a better person. My Prayer and Accountability partner is one of those. He is my hero. He blesses me every time I am privileged to associate with him. I want to be like him; to do things like him. I stop short of making him my idol because that is against the Biblical teaching and no one or no thing is worthy of being idolized. I worship God only. But my Prayer/Accountability partner is my hero. I am better because of him.
I don’t know if anyone can say that of me but that would be my goal in my friendships.
Throughout these Blogs I have continued to ask, “How many friends do I have?”
As usual, I have been asking the wrong question. If we are so concerned with finding the kind of friend I have been discussing in these Blogs, then we’ve got it all backward.
It doesn’t really matter how many friends I have or don’t have. What really
matters is, “Am I willing to be this kind of friend to others?” If the answer is “Yes,” then I don’t really have to wonder or worry about how many friends I have.
It is pointless. God wants me to concern myself with being a Biblical friend to as many people as possible.
So I’ve got to stop looking and start praying that God will help me be that kind of friend. And my model for this is Jesus. The Bible says, “…..but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24b) Of course that friend is Jesus. He is my ultimate model for friendship. He shows me unconditional love. (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). He gives me uncompromising loyalty. (John 6:37; Hebrews 13:5-6)
Real friendship begins when we know the FRIEND of all FRIENDS. Then we can let Him help us be the kind of friend we want someone to be to us.
Lord, help me to be a true, Biblical friend.
Jim
posted by jim 11:38 AM 0 comments
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