Bible Reading: Leviticus ; Proverbs 18; John 21; Colossians 1
Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Are you a person who has friends? Think for a moment…how many friends do you have that you could tell something that you were struggling with and know that they would not judge you, but would give you godly counsel and pray for you? How many friends do you have that you could call if you were in need and know that if they could, they would help you? If you have a friend like that you are blessed. If you have several friends like that, you are truly blessed.
Here the Bible teaches us something VERY important about friendship. If you want to have friends, you must be a friend. Show yourself friendly and see what happens. Many people sit back and wait for someone to befriend them. The Bible says to have friends you must show yourself friendly. Being a friend to people you may not know or who are different from you is Christ-like!
Luke 7:34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
Do you remember when Jesus came into Jericho? He made friends with the local tax collector. Jesus initiated the relationship and it led to Zacchaeus' conversion! Maybe you are not an outgoing person or one who is able to talk to strangers easily. You can still smile. You can be friendly and say, "Hello," or "Good morning," or "Thank you." You can look for ways to show kindness to a neighbor or a co-worker.
Many times people complain because people are not friendly to them. The Bible says we are to be friendly in order to have friends. If you are a follower of Jesus you already know a friend that sticks closer than a brother – Jesus! He is with you always and he will listen. You can pray to him anytime. He will never leave you and never forsake you. He calls you friend and lets you in on his plan for the ages!
John 15:14-15 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 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.
A big part of following Jesus is showing yourself friendly. So learn from the friend of sinners and be a friend. Soon you will find that you have friends as well!
In Christ,
Rody
