We all need friends. As humans, we have been wired to seek love and acceptance from people other than our family members. We need that person with whom we can share our burdens, laugh, and journey together on the highway of holiness.
With a look at the world today, you will see that it is easier for friends who are married to each other to battle the storm of marriage together than people who are not. It is much better if they are both rooted in Christ. It is thus clear that in these trying times where many die as a result of depression, people need someone to talk with and trust enough. The place of friendship cannot be overemphasized, but then, it is important to note that the greatest and best friend we could ever have is God.
John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him would not perish, but have everlasting life." This shows that the first kind of relationship God establish with us is friendship. Even right from genesis when he created everything to co-habit down to when he created Eve to serve as a companion to Adam. So, if he could give us his only son, how much more if we talk with him. We can always trust him to come through for us.
In fact, there are different demonstration of friendship talked about in the Bible, ranging from Job who prayed for his friends (Job 16: 20-21) to Jonathan who held David's hand during his trying period (1Samuel 23: 16) even to the loyalty of Ruth to Naomi when her world fell apart (Ruth 1:14) and many other examples of amazing friendship displayed by various people in the Bible. Also, King Solomon who was the wisest man in the record of the Bible, said in Proverbs 27:10 that it is better to call on friends and neighbors who are nearby than relatives faraway.
Taking this, you will notice that they all look beyond the physical appearances and situations. They saw potentials. And this can only be possible through a means. The spirit. They are spiritual, because right before Christ came, God is already in the business of speaking to people. Or what could have prompted Ruth to insist on staying after Ruth urged them to go. How about Jonathan? David was not his only friend at that time, yet he stood by him despite knowing that he is father's enemy. We all know what happened to Job too after he prayed for his friends too. Unarguably, these people exhibit one or two of the fruits of the spirit which we know of later.
Read: 3 Ways the Holy Spirit works in your Life Today
These type of friends can be classified as spiritual friends. Spiritual friends are ready to go on extra miles for their partners. They are willing to stick by you when the world turns its back on you. And this is why it is important that every other type of friendship stems from the spiritual aspect, just as we know that we do not battle against the flesh, and the world is as spiritual as it is physical, hence, when the going gets tough, you can always come back together to a place of holiness, to call on the names of the Lord, and strengthen yourself.
It is better to get married to your best friend, but it is best if your partner is the Jonathan to your David, the Ruth to your Naomi, and the Moses to your Aaron. Spiritual friends are like plants, you have to nurture them. They are like your altar, you have to keep the fire burning. They are like babies, you have to cradle and care for them. You have to be so intentional about this type of friendship because they are important as life itself, as this is what you need, aside Christ to triumph at the end of the day. You need the companionship to survive.
A perfect example of this as stated in Ephesians 6:2 - "Help carry one another's burden, and in this way, you will obey the law of Christ."
Also, In Mark 2, Jesus healed a paralyzed man because of the faith of his friends so it is wrong to think that the people you hang out with don’t matter.
Now, how do you recognize spiritual friends?
Aside the aforementioned characteristics, here are a few things that help you recognise and build spiritually profitable relationships.
1. Your Spirit Aligns
The first thing to know is that your spirit will align together in a special way, just as God's spirit joins Himself to our spirit to declare that we are God's children (Romans 8:16). Spiritual friends will reflect Christ in every aspect of their life, and over time, they will rub off their goodwill and character on you, just as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 13:20).
Finally, it is worthy to note that these types of friends mean well, even when they hurt you, instead you should watch out for an enemy who puts his arm around you (Proverbs 27:6). Be that friend. Build that friendship, and together you shall enjoy the profit.
This is well detailed and inspiring ma.
ReplyDeleteMore grace for you to function ma.
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