Tuesday, March 8, 2016
FRIENDSHIPS AND FAITH
"It's OK. I'm strong. I know what I believe. I won't be influenced by unbelieving friends." Has anyone ever said that to you? Have you said it? While it is true that we are to be active and engaged in letting our light shine and bringing God's law and gospel to others, Scripture also warns about the spiritual harm that can come through constant, close associations with those who do not share our love for the Lord. Paul told the Corinthians: "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character'" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Solomon wrote: "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Proverbs 13:20).
What a gift it is then to have fellow believers with whom to spend time, people who share our trust in Jesus as the Lamb of God who sacrificed Himself for the sins of the world. Time spent with one another will help fortify faith rather than endanger it. When we gather for worship, take part in work days, and get together socially, we can encourage one another in taking a stand against the immorality of our culture. We can give one another godly encouragement for the ups and downs of daily life. Most of all, we can assure each other of forgiveness and peace with God through Christ's blood.
Today thank God for like-minded Christian friends. Tell them, too, how much you appreciate them. Look for ways to maintain and build up those relationships. Ask yourself, "Are there others in our fellowship with whom I could establish a closer friendship?"
In Philippians 3:17-4:1 St. Paul writes of the blessings in noticing and imitating the godly examples of fellow believers as we travel through this temporary life to our real home in heaven:
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!"
