Questions to consider:
Who are my friends?
Do they fully love God?
Do I feel they draw me closer to God or do they make me focus more on the world?
Am I influencing my friends, or do my friends influence me? (for good?)
Do I have friends that my parents disapprove of?
What action do I need to take?
Purpose to experience God’s best in your friendships!
first impressions
you only have ONE opportunity to make a first impression on another! “For if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?” Matthew 5:47. We "salute" by sending out a first impression, signaling our acceptance of them as they are, with the desire to bless them with what they could be. -overlook outward distractions -picture their potential in Christ -don't forget to entertain strangers -give a warm smile -use their name -don’t prejudge! -be careful at how you LOOK at others (giving a message of rejection)
making friends or making disciples?
The KEY to keeping standards is making disciples because they will hold you accountable... teaching others the commands of Christ. Have genuine love for others - John 13:35. Surrender your life to do it.
2 ISSUES we struggle with: either wanting to be like those friends who have rebelled and gone a different direction - peer pressure, wanting acceptance OR you look down on those who’ve gone astray, despising them, not having anything to do with them, not speaking to them, etc.
Don’t have contempt- like Jonah and the Pharisees. Don’t lose sight of other’s value. You don’t dislike them; you dislike the sin. Pray for the love of Christ.
The reason why you do or don’t do certain things should be from your love for Jesus Christ and out of your love for others (not wanting them to stumble or be offended).
“Inasmuch as ye have done it to the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me “- Matthew 25:40b
Unity
it comes from the Holy Spirit. God doesn’t want us to all be uniform (look alike, dress alike, sound alike - all pressure from without), but humble (Phil 2, lowliness of mind/focus on inward).
How to be a Godly friend -Encourage (pouring courage into another’s life). Pray for them. Share Scripture with them. Notes. Phone calls. Emails. Birthday remembrances.
Have standards that will protect you. Yield your whole life to Christ (mind, emotions, will, body)! Having a dating spirit - singling out someone for special attention without intending to pursue marriage and without going through proper authorities. Flee from secret relationships. Honor your parents and things will go well with you! 1 Thess. 5:23 Guarding your heart, Proverbs 4:23, involves removing anything will hinder you from obeying the first and greatest commandment (Mark 12:30). It brings an unimaginable future - 1 Cor. 2:9b.
Witnessing to Unsaved Friends
1. a silent witness, how you live your life - dress, obedience, character, words
2. verbal witness, sharing and explaining why you do what you do
When thinking about friendship, remember that Jesus is your best and dearest friend! He loves you more than anyone else ever could. He will never leave you.
No comments:
Post a Comment