Bible Ballistics: Patience/Longsuffering    July 7,2013       Vol. 2 No.08

Blessings to you this fine Lord’s day.  I hope that you spent some time this week thanking God for America and the 237 years that we have stood proud as a nation.  Although we have much to be ashamed of “nationally”, we are still so abundantly blessed by God that we should always offer thanks to Him for this great land.   I’d like us to think about something in regard to the conflict that blessing often creates, that of wants-vs-needs.   Two Biblical words help us see God’s ways, they are patience and longsuffering.

Let’s begin with one of my favorite verses 1 Timothy 6:6 (+5-11), “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.”  Verse 6 declares that contentment IS gain.  Verse 5 says that those who teach “that gain is godliness” or “money=blessing” are not speaking God’s truth.  Paul calls us to withdraw from those who teach such things.  Not a very popular thing to say these days, but God said so, therefore I must proclaim it. Paul also reminds us that we arrived on the scene with nothing and our departure will leave all behind.  We also note that we are to be content with food and clothing, and understand that riches are not evil but the “LOVE OF MONEY” is the root of all evil.  (See Matt 15:18)

Is our heart set on things of heaven or of earth?  Colossians 3:1-3 says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.”   We know that we are ‘dead’ (to the flesh)when we remember Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”  If we have been born again, we are ‘crucified’ with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.  According to Romans 6:4, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”, our life is changed from death unto life.  We are empowered by God to do right.  Ephesians 2:1-7 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved); 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”  We are made alive in Christ, set free from the bondage of sin, and raised to new life to show the glory and grace of God to the world both now and forever.

What can all of this have to do with patience and/or endurance?  A life of true submission to the Lord Jesus Christ is empowered to have “peace with God” (Romans 5:1) and this peace with God enables us to be at peace with our circumstances and the relationships in our lives.  Now this isn’t a blanket statement but a general principle of “peace” that we are to strive for in our lives.  Scripture reminds us that we are not responsible for the actions or reactions of others.  There are those in this world both near and far, who don’t want peace no matter how hard we may try.  Paul addressed this in Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”  God’s peace enables us to live out two words in scripture, one is often translated “patience” or “endurance”, and the other is often  translated “longsuffering”.  These two special words in scripture help us know that we are called to affect our world with the grace of Christ within us–to show Jesus in all.

Patience is most beautifully pictured in Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”.  Patience here, is the Greek word “hupomone”, hupo, meaning under, and mone, meaning to abide.  This is the word which pertains to circumstances—being patient under, with and through our circumstantial trials. Here we see that the trial produces the ability to remain under, (see 1 Cor. 10:13), and when we remain under the trial, with God’s provision, we develop experience (confident trust in God’s ability and faithfulness), and experience yields hope in all that we go through!!  How awesome is our God who is working continually in all that comes to us (see Romans 8:28-29).

In Colossians 1:110-12 we see both words used together(as they often are) but we’ll focus on ‘longsuffering”. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:”  God strengthens us for both ‘patience’ and ‘longsuffering’, and we are to express them both with joyfulness.  The Greek word “makrothumia”, means to suffer long, and is related to persons or God not circumstances as “hupomone” is.  It is aptly described in Romans 12:19,  “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”   We are to trust people to God.  As God’s children we are to trust HIM with our circumstances and our relationships.  I hope this gives you some food for thought this week.

Bible Ballistics: Watchmen    June 30, 2013              Vol. 2 No.07

Happy Birthday America!!  I hope you have a most pleasant and enjoyable 4^th of July.  In 1787 Scottish professor, Alexander Tyler made the following statement: “A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.  A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.  From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse doe to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.” Sound words, which I think we might be wise to heed.

We have looked at friendship, family and leadership in recent weeks, and I would like to take the time to continue in a related vein and consider the “watchman”, as described in scripture.

We believers, and especially those of us in leadership positions, are called to be “watchmen” to those around us.  Ezekiel gives a most precise picture of our responsibility.  He also establishes the fact that we aren’t accountable for the responses of others, but we are responsible to proclaim the “warning”.  Let’s look at this powerful passage, Ezekiel 33:1-9, “Again the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: 3 If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; 4 Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. 6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. 7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.”   The thought that I would like to emphasize is in verse 7, “ hear the word at my mouth and warn them from me…..”  Our command is directly related to the “WORD AT GOD’S mouth”.  I am not called or compelled to share the opinion of men, not even my own, but I am to share HIS WORD!!!  ARE WE SOUNDING THE TRUTH?  THE WARNING? 

Hebrews 4:12-13 tell us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”  God’s Word is alive—always at work, when it is read and proclaimed; it is piercing and dividing to the soul of man, and brings life or death depending on our response to it.  Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:”  Hebrews 4 also declares that it is God to whom we will give an account and it is HIS WORD which will be the standard.  Jesus himself in John 17:8 tells us…” For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.”  Even as we talked some months ago about prayer, and saw that we are instructed to pray “Thy kingdom come….Thy will be done…..”. And Jesus again in the garden, before the cross prayed “…not my will, but thine be done…” ( Lk 22:42).  Are we holding ourselves accountable to God and HIS word?

God will accomplish His word in all it’s power and truth.  Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”.   Just as we see in Hebrews 4, God’s Word is the power of life, the standard of life and the ultimate and final judgment of all men—believers and unbelievers.  We are to proclaim God’s word and do His work with all our might relying on God alone.  1 Cor. 3:7 “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”   And as John the Baptist said in John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  Every one of us, as a watchman must have this motive and goal in mind.  As we proclaim God’s Word, it must never be for selfish motive or gain, but to be faithful “watchmen” who proclaim the undiluted Word.  God is holding me accountable to HIS Word.  1 Corinthians 3:13 reminds us, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”   Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.”        God is God but we can know Him, as Paul tells us in Philippians 3:9-10 “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”  And Jesus own words in John 17:3 “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”  We can KNOW God through salvation in Jesus, but when we KNOW HIM we are called to be faithful “Watchmen”.  Let’s be faithful watchmen who sound the warning, regardless of the response—THAT IS GOD’S JOB!!!  We are living in desperate times with the happenings of recent days– but we are still obligated to sound the warning even if the cost is great.  I’ll close with Jesus word’s from John 15:19-21 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.”  Stand fast my friends Jesus is coming soon.

Bible Ballistics: Family Leadership                        June 23, 2013                      Vol. 2 No.06

I pray you’ve had a blessed week with the Lord, and taken some time to think on the things we have been sharing recently.  We’ve looked at friendship, the Christian family, and to continue on in this vein let’s think about godly leadership– in general and particularly in the home.   We have talked about the cost of friendship, and the Christian family, it’s demands and rewards.  A price that many in our day, have neglected or blatantly refused to pay.  Where is the leadership we need?  Well, as usual let’s go to God’s Word, and we may find that “leadership” begins with “followship”.

I’d like us to start in Proverbs—the book of “wisdom”.  What greater wisdom could we have than God’s? What is God’s desire for families and friends?  It will  reach into the church and community (after all God is the manufacturer)!  When we live godly lives at home, it affects our families.  Godly families then, affect our churches, and churches filled with godly families will affect our communities, and even our country.  Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the  beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Proverbs 3:5-7 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.”  Proverbs 3:11-14 “My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. 13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”  Here in the beginning of the book of Proverbs the value of God’s wisdom is made so clear and urgent: to fear the Lord, trusting in Him and yielding to His discipline personally, is required to be a good leader.  Then to trust, obey and share this “fear of God” and “trust in Him” with “my” family.

When we trust in God it will manifest itself in our action, both inside (especially to those closest to us) and outside of our home.  1 Timothy 5:8 declares: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” Contextually this refers to material provision, but I don’t believe we’d be far afield to apply this to the spiritual leadership of the home. Proverbs 3:27-29, reveals that our reach doesn’t stop at home:  “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.”  I am to express the grace, integrity and generosity of God to those in my realm of influence—near and far. Remember that Jesus told us “who” our neighbor really is in Luke 10!!  Praise God, He has never refused to hear my cry for help, and He never will.  What less can we do for others.

Sometimes, though,  “LOVE’S” best answer is NO.  Remember God’s “agape“ (agapao) love always does that which is best for the recipient of the love.  The ultimate spiritual good of others should be our highest motive. Romans 5:5b “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”.  By the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we are to exercise the qualities of love, grace, integrity and generosity toward our own family. God’s love at work through us.   I am not referring to indulgence and enablement of bad habits and behaviors, but of truly wise generosity.  In Proverbs 4:23-27 we see the call to “right” living, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”;  and Proverbs 12:5 “The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.”  In other words—think right=do right.  Jesus makes this same point in Matthew 15:18-19 “18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” Hence, I must guard my heart and put good into it that good may come out of it. Mark 10:18,  “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”   I can do be/do good only when I have God’s righteousness in me, 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”.—Christ’s righteousness accounted to me, and by His Spirit dwelling within me, working itself out in all I do.  Phil. 2:12-13 “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”  As God is at work in us we are to live it out,  and Paul gives us a good checklist in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  If it’s not on the checklist, it isn’t good food for our heart or minds—reject it.

I can be a faithful friend, family member, leader and citizen if I keep my heart yielded to God, so that  I will reflect HIS glory.  I must carry the gospel in a clean vessel.   God’s cure for sin is found at Calvary, through repentance and faith, the alternative is “eternal judgment”.  We are called to teach others, to– “go ye therefore and teach all nations”, and there is no generational retirement that I can find in the Word.  Just because I’m a “grand” parent, doesn’t relieve me of my duty to my God, nor my offspring, all of them.  If we claim to be God’s children, then we are to hold to God’s standard.    Do you think maybe that’s why we, as families, churches, communities, and yes even this great nation, have so little influence on the world? Have we failed to hold ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren to God’s standard? To remind them that God will judge and the rules haven’t changed?  Let me close with Philippians 3:14-16 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.”   Loosely paraphrased—seek to know truth, do truth, seek to know more truth to receive the prize.  Have a blessed week pursuing the “prize” –Jesus.

I wish you blessings on this lovely Father’s Day.  I hope you have had a joyous and restful day with your father, or the father of your children, or spent some time today reflecting on your blessings from our Holy Father God.  I thank God that I was greatly blessed with a godly father, and although he has been with our Lord for more than 20 years I oft-times miss him as if it were yesterday.  Not all of us had good earthly fathers, but regardless of your past, if you have been born again, you now have God as your “Father”.   John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”   God in his grace and mercy sent Jesus to redeem us and make us his own children—and as it says here we are “born” spiritually, not of blood (our heritage), nor of the will of the flesh (our determination), nor the will of man (the bestowment of others, any other).

As we looked last week at friendship, I’d like us to go a little deeper and look at “Family”, not just family in general but the “Christian Family”.  Let us consider what God’s word has to say about families, particularly “Christian Families”.

First of all let’s answer the question “What is a Christian family?”  I’d like to answer this question first with what it is NOT!!  A “Christian Family” is not simply a ‘Christian’ who marries and starts a family.  It is also not two ‘Christians’ who unite in marriage and start a family.   Regardless of the “political correctness” it is not professing “Christians” or non-Christians, living together in states other than marriage—that includes adulterous relationships, polygamous, homosexual, or any and all other immoral unions that our world has tagged “family”.   Without getting deep into politics, we must take a stand on truth, and if we, God’s own genuine children, will not speak and live the truth, why on earth would we expect the world to live by God’s standard.

Now, if none of these things define a “Christian Family”, what does?  Of course God’s word does!!  There are so many scriptures to choose from but I think the best place to start is at the beginning.  Genesis 2:21-24 “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”  Here we see that GOD established marriage!!  And in verse 18, “And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”  God establishes this “godly” union for companionship and procreation.  Jesus expands on this by telling us in Matthew 19:5-6 “And (HE) said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”  Marriage is the joining of a man and a woman, and the establishment of a new branch of the family.  What an accurate term “family tree” is!  God established marriage to meet our needs for companionship, to meet our physical needs (and yes God created “sex” not Satan), and to bring the next generation into the world and prepare them for carrying on a godly heritage.  Psalm 127:3 says, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

So, what then, is a “Christian Family”?  It must be a Christian man, and a Christian woman committed first of all to God, then to each other, and extending on to the children and grandchildren.  Not just two ‘Christians” but two committed Christians devoted to God, His word and ways, and consistently, diligently passing this on to their children.  Not just taking them to church, but training them at home as we see in Deuteronomy 6:5-9,20, & 24-25 says “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates……. 20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord our God hath commanded you? 21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son,…….. 24 And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he hath commanded us”.  Here we see a “Christian Family”. What does this mean to you and me? Regardless of our age, we are commanded to –love God ourselves, have His love and word in our hearts, TEACH OUR CHILDREN —CONTINUALLY IN ALL THAT WE DO, EVERYWHERE WE GO, ALL THE TIME?   Quite a tall order isn’t it?  A Christian family has “parents” who follow God and love Him devotedly.  Parents who teach God’s word and His principles with honor and integrity before their children every day, in every way.    Living and expecting godly behavior in the family!!!

Are we willing to follow our God with this kind of devotion? To proclaim and then hold our loved ones to the sacred truth of God’s word?  Or do we accept moral turpitude (depravity and wickedness) from those closest to us without intervention for righteousness or warning of judgment?  I hear so many say “Well, if I say anything they’ll do…..this or that thing (you fill in the blank)”… that would cause us sadness or separation.  If you remember, Jesus’ family didn’t believe Him and wouldn’t follow Him until after His resurrection.  Well, friends what price do we put on acceptance?   Is acquiescence or consent to wickedness the price we are willing to pay to have cordial relations with those we love?  Or are we willing to call those dear to us to live righteously and follow God’s plan?  Are we willing to speak the truth to them and let them know what God says about any particular behavior. (and in order to do that we must know for ourselves what God has said—that’s called Bible study).  Now, I understand that we can’t make choices for others, nor am I talking about cramming things down someone’s throat, but we are compelled by God’s word, and His Spirit to let others know that God judges sin–to speak His word faithfully. In the matter of marriage the scripture is clear, Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”    The rules haven’t changed, regardless of what the world says!  Marriage is one man+one woman for all time!

Galatians 6:7-8 reminds us that ALL will give an account “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”  I can choose to be popular, accepting and  ‘open-minded’ to the ways of sin, or I can choose to honor God, speak the truth in love and call people to righteousness.  Especially those who claim the name of Jesus.  Especially those with whom I have an intimate relationship—my family!!!  Our Christian Family??!!!  What about you?

God bless you, grow you and speak to and through you this week.

Greetings to you on this lovely summer evening.  We’ve had a lovely Lord’s Day here In Virginia and heard a wonderful message on God’s love and the certainty of it.  We are so blessed to serve a God who loves and provides for us.  As Jesus tells us in John 15:15 “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.“, we see that we are called friends by our Lord.

I think of Abraham and his relationship with God as James 2:23 relates “And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.“   John 15:17 “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”  When we believe God, and trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His Spirit takes up residence in our hearts.  Romans 5:1-5 reveals our new relationship with God, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  Hence we see that the “love of God” is poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who comes to lead us into all truth (John 16:13).  As the Spirit bestows God’s love within us, we are enabled to be a “friend” to others.  I’d like us to look at friendship this week.  After spending the last few weeks with some dear and long-term friends, I have been thinking about the blessing and joy of having and being “friends”.

Proverbs 18:24 “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”  How do we make friends?  There are many answers but I’d like to focus on this Biblical answer.  To have friends we must be willing to be a friend.  I once heard Charles Stanley relate a comment, which I paraphrase; “we can never earnestly pray for that, for which we are unwilling to be used as the answer”.  I found that to be most profound.  We often make requests of God when we are unwilling to be part of the answer.  I think this can have a direct correlation to friendship!!!  To have a friend we must be willing to “BE” a friend.  When we are willing to be a friend we will find that God brings people into our lives who not only need a friend, but also can become a true and dear friend to us.  How many blessings do we miss because we aren’t paying attention to those around us?

What does a friend look like?  Exodus 33:11 “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…”  A friend is one to whom we can speak “face to face”, with confidence and trust.  Job 6:14 “To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend…”,  one who can empathize, sympathize and relate to our grief, sorrow or our times of confusion.  How often do people languish away for lack of a “friend”?  How many people spend tens of thousands of dollars on psychiatrists and psychologists, when a good friend could have met the need, and been an ear to hear.  Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”—One of my favorite “friend” verses tells us here that a “real” friend loves at all times—ALL TIMES!!  That treasured friend who knows all our bumps and warts, and still loves and encourages us.  The one who helps us get up and start over again!!!   Proverbs 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”   Oh, how blessed we are when we have a friend (and if you have more than one you are abundantly blessed) who will speak the truth when we’d rather not hear it!!   One who cares enough to help us see ourselves as we really are, and as we ought to be.  Also Proverbs 27:9 “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.”  A friend that leads and directs us to the word and heart of God rather than to the world=hearty counsel. As Mark 5:19 says, “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”  The greatest thing a friend can do is to share Christ.  Do our friends know that Jesus is the most important person in our lives?  Are we living in a way that reflects His love and Holiness to our friends—to all?  Am I calling those around me to a higher way or settling for what the world offers?

John 15:13 calls us to the highest,  “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”  Mostly we think of this verse in light of “dying” for ones friends, but I think there is a deeper, harder meaning here.  I believe that many times it is easier to “die” for something/someone, but much more difficult to “LIVE” for that thing/person.  What limits do I put on those who need me?  Now I am not saying that we shouldn’t have healthy boundaries, but are we willing to be available for those who need us, when they need us?

Oft times friendship, true friendship is costly in time, emotions and energy.  Am I willing to be there when others need me, or am I more concerned with convenience than the sacrifices of friendship?  It is sometimes very “inconvenient” to be there when our friends need us.  Let’s determine to be a friend to Jesus, first of all and then, by His grace and power (which His Spirit supplies), to be Jesus to the world.  As a contemporary song illustrates with the little blind girl, who asks if the one helping her is Jesus, let us commit ourselves to be “Jesus” to others.  Not only to those whom we easily love but to all those that God places in our path—especially those who may be difficult to love.  Keep your heart door open—God may have a new friend right around the corner.  And don’t forget to treasure those old and dear ones who have walked through the fire with us!!

May God bless you to not only be a godly friend, but to be abundantly blessed with a friend like Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”   May we be iron sharpening iron each to the other—godly, Biblically faithful, loving friends.