Friendship

June 1

"Accept one another, then, for the glory of God, as Christ has accepted you." Romans 15:7


THE REAL REASON BEHIND FRIENDSHIP

In friendship ... we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years' difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another...the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting-any of these chances might have kept us apart.

But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking, no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," can truly say to every group of Christian friends, "Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another."

The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others. -- C.S. Lewis



Today's message of acceptance is something every person on the planet wants to receive. Though we may reserve our 'right' to be selective about whom we choose as friends, we would prefer that the decisions of pleasant folk regarding their associations would not leave us out.

The Word says that "He who would have friends must show himself friendly," Proverbs 18:24, and this proves true again and again in our lives. Those to whom we reach out in kindness and understanding and compassion at the point of their need will usually be the ones with whom we have the closest associations.

Perhaps the words 'point of need' are key in this matter, for those who do not perceive themselves as having need of empathy from us may rebuff our efforts to extend a hand to them. According to the Word, our efforts should not be contingent upon their response; all we do must be based upon the truths of scripture, upon the example of our Savior.

We are told by the Lord Himself to "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, pray for those who despitefully use you," Matthew 5:44. In other words, our attitude, our action and our initiative are to be based upon the directive of the Lord, not on the natural inclination of man. Our own heart can deceive us (Jeremiah 17:9), so we rely only on the Word.

May your heart be so surrendered to the heart of Jesus that doing things His way will be second nature to you, and in being like Him, may you gather around you all the people He wants to abide in the center of your life.