I love the words of this translation when holding it up in light of friendships and relationships. Through that lens, those are lofty words! Let's take a few minutes and consider the beauty and weight of friendship and how we can reflect Jesus in all of our relationships.
Friends are the family we chose. Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." And Proverbs 18:24 says "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Our friends, those we truly let in, let see the real us-good and bad-are there for us, loving us. And it's not difficult to live out the declarations of this verse. Yet, it is very important that we chose our friends wisely. For who you spend time with, you become like.
That truth can go either way-build you up or tear you down. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17 There is such beauty in friendships that are God honoring, pushing each other to grow in Him and reflect Him more. It doesn't mean things are always cheery and happy, though. Sometimes sharpening requires tough love, but always spoken in love.
The flip side is also a real possibility in friendship-tearing you down. "Do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals." 1 Corinthian 15:33 It really does matter who we let into our life, who we let speak into us. While we need to be investing and pouring into others with different beliefs and morals from us, we must do so with extreme caution and prayer. "Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?" 1 Corinthians 5:6 A small, undetectable amount of influence can have tremendous impact on our life.
Now, in talking about how friendships affect us, it's important to consider what kind of friend we are. Do we push others to be their best in Christ? Lift them up in their strengths? Encourage them in their weaknesses? Or do we cause division? Stir up discord among the body? This is vitally important to consider in all of our relationships, not just friendships.
The body of Christ, the church, is so beautiful and unique. We all bring different things to the table and they are all equally important. We have an enemy, though, who seeks to destroy our diversity and create division and discord among the body. Do not fall into that trap.
"But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." 1 Corinthians 12:24-26 We are a beautiful picture of the many attributes of God. While we will not have close friendships with everybody in our life, we can honor God through the love and respect we extend to the body of Christ.
Consider your friendships. Are they good, healthy, life-giving friendships? Or are there some friendships you need to remove from your life?
What kind of friend are you? One who builds up or tears down?
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Thank you so much for taking a minute to share your heart with me!