Prov. 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. NKJV
I don’t have friends, someone complained! If you want to have friends, you just have to make yourself friendly, put on that smile and it will attract people to you. In the course of many years of dealing with people, I have found out that those who do not have friends are those who isolate themselves. Prov 18:1 says An unfriendly person isolates himself and seems to care only about his own issues. For his contempt of sound judgment makes him a recluse (The Passion Translation).To have a friend, you must first of all establish a relationship.
You must have a welcoming attitude if you are to establish a relationship with people.
Eccl 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! (NIV).
You have heard the common phrase that is often used these days “we are in this together”. There is no lone ranger believer in Christendom. When two people work together, they produce more for their effort than the person who works alone. The value of Relationship To keep the friendship going, you must learn to maintain that relationship. It costs you nothing to open a facebook account, it costs you nothing to have so many friends on facebook (superficial), but it will cost you your time and effort to maintain those relationships otherwise, they amount to zero. They are not worth the relationship, they are only superficial.
You must first of all establish a relationship with Christ (that is why you must be born again - John 3:3. And you must go all out to maintain that relationship otherwise, He will cull you on the last days. I pray this will never be your portion in Jesus Name.
Phil 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you 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;” (Maintain your relationship with Christ).
In order for any relationship to be worthwhile, there should be friendship in that relationship. The reason why many families are fragmented and dysfunctional today is the lack of friendship and bond in the family relationship. Just reflect on this for a moment: In a family of six, why is it that only two might have a very close relationship? This might be because there is friendship, intimacy and bond in those relationships, while the rest of the family members are merely “Birthdays/Christmas/Easter/
Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:15 “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” (Bond).
When there is friendship in a relationship, you crave for another’s company. When there is no friendship, you will not enjoy but endure that relationship. There are some marriage relationships today that have become enduring marriage relationships. I pray that will not be your portion in Wired For Glory Church, amen. But if you are living in an enduring marriage relationship, I encourage you to reach out. Help is available.
The value of unityAmos 3:3 Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? NKJVThough friendship within the confines of a relationship might be important, our ultimate goal must be to covet unity in that relationship. We must crave for friendship and unity in order to have an enjoyable and long lasting relationship.
Can you walk in harmony? Can you walk in unity unless there’s an agreement? Of course the answer is, no. Now how can you walk with God if you’re not in agreement with God? How can you walk with God and continue in iniquity, and in unrighteousness, and in sin? The answer is, you can’t. You cannot walk with a holy God in a state of iniquity. "Can two walk together, except they are in agreement. Likewise, you cannot walk in harmony with anyone if there is misunderstanding, striving and unforgiveness. Why is it that you feel insecure and timid when you are with some people (even relatives) and are safe, free and bubbling with others?
You must strive for friendship and unity (harmony) within the confines of your relationship in order to have an enjoyable experience.
Your friend,
Tony