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I watched some of our young folks play Guitar Hero
the other day, and it reminded me how important it is
to have Christian friends.
Christians are Friends
The word "friend" describes the relationship Christians
have with each other. It's used by John in his epistle
to Gaius.
- "Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet
the friends by name" (3 Jn. 1:15).
It stands to reason that Christians are friends, because
we all have one friend in common, Jesus.
Jesus demonstrated his friendship toward us by dying
on the cross.
- "'Greater love has no one than this, that
one lay down his life for his friends'" (Jn.
15:13).
And as His disciples, we demonstrate our friendship
toward Him by obeying.
- "'You are My friends if you do what I command
you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave
does not know what his master is doing; but I have
called you friends . . . (Jn. 15:14-15).
Christians Love Each Other
Christians are friends because we love each other.
- "A friend loves at all times . . ." (Pr.
17:17).
The Greek word for "friend" is philos, primarily
an adjective denoting loved, dear, or friendly that
became used as a noun (Vine's).
Although the word "friend " is used a number of ways,
Christians are friends because we're attached to one
another by affection (King James Dictionary).
- "Be devoted to one another in brotherly
love; give preference to one another in
honor" (Rom. 12:10).
- "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only
do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the
flesh, but through love serve one another"
(Gal. 5:13).
- "Let love of the brethren continue" (Heb.
13:10).
- "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified
your souls for a sincere love of the brethren,
fervently love one another from the heart" (1
Pet. 1:22).
- "Honor all people, love the brotherhood
. . ." (1 Pet. 2:17).
Christians Are Friends Because We Love God
As Christians, we love God and obey Him (1 Jn. 5:3).
Because we love God, we love our brethren.
- "'This is My commandment, that you love one
another, just as I have loved you'" (Jn. 15:12).
- "Now as to the love of the brethren, you
have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves
are taught by God to love one another" (1 Th.
4:9).
Therefore our relationship with God is shown by our
love for our brethren.
- "By this the children of God and the children
of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not
practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one
who does not love his brother" (1 Jn. 3:10).
As Christians, we love God. And because we love God,
we love each other, and we're friends.
Friends Give of Themselves
As friends, we give of ourselves to help each other.
Jesus gave us an example by lovingly giving of Himself
on the cross.
- "'Greater love has no one than this, that
one lay down his life for his friends'" (Jn.
15:13).
Paul's friends also gave of themselves to help him.
- "Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to
be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and
not to prevent any of his friends from ministering
to him" (Acts 24:23).
Likewise, as friends in Christ, we are called by God
to give of ourselves to help each another.
- "We know love by this, that He laid down
His life for us; and we ought to lay down our
lives for the brethren" (1 Jn. 3:16).
Individual Responsibility
Developing and maintaining friendships is an individual
responsibility.
We must be proactive in our approach to making friends
with God's children.
We can't idly wait, hoping others will approach us
as a friend. We must approach them.
If we don't call and visit brethren, we can't complain
when others don't visit us. Everyone has the same responsibility.
Parental Responsibility
God created us as affectionate people who naturally
need friends. Therefore our children need friends.
As parents, we are responsible for giving our children
opportunities to have Christian companions. If we don't,
we risk losing them to the world (1 Cor. 15:33).
In some geographic areas, this is harder than others.
Some couples have moved to different cities, so their
children can live among Christian piers.
Other parents send their children to schools and camps
operated by Christians, and make arrangements for them
to visit friends throughout the year.
There are different ways of exposing our children
to Christian friends, but it's our job as parents to
provide the opportunity.
Summary
Christians are friends, but friendship takes work.
Let's make sure we're doing our part to be friends,
because we love each other as God's children.
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