“Relationships in life are not the icing on the cake they are the cake!” I believe our Lord agrees with this statement. Jesus told His friends he was laying down His life for them.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Strong Friendships Include Three Things:
- The Strength of Worship
The few missions trips that I have been able to take have overwhelmed me with the impression of Holy-Spirit unity. People with other another look, language, and culture are worshipping my same God–worshipping Him in the truth of the Word of God, praying to Him, singing to Him. What a powerful experience!
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
The Church in Jerusalem, like today’s church, was composed of people from different age groups, social standings, and cultural backgrounds. Yet, in spite of all their differences, they had a powerful bond and an open secret: there is strength in worshipping God together.
- The Strength of Work
A school teacher had students bring an object that represented their faith. A Jewish boy brought the Star of David, a Catholic girl brought a rosary, and the Baptist boy brought fried chicken! Fellowships are great and activities are good, but they don’t develop lasting friendships!
John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
“Ye do” implies work. Jesus said we are to take on “His yoke.” The closest bond in life is in Christ’s “yoke,” His work together. Many people’s “friendships” are not built on a cause, an overarching purpose; thus, there have no common goal or end. When we bear the same burdens and celebrate the same victories, something happens – strong friendships develop. I am so thankful for close friendships that have been born and grown out of working for Christ. Someone said, “Friends double our joys and divide our sorrows.” How true this is in the Lord’s work!
- The Strength of Warfare
We have a WWII vet in our church. One Sunday morning, I saw his eyes light up and tears well up when he came across a fellow veteran. They were both in the Navy together in the South Pacific on sister ships. They exchanged phone numbers and have kept in contact. What caused their strong connection? War.
Christians who engage in spiritual warfare together realize the same things that fellow veterans do: they have a common enemy, a great cause, and desperately need each other. We engage in battle over souls together each day. We heal the wounded. We understand it’s not about us; it’s about winning the war. We know how much we depend on each other’s encouragement, faithfulness, and prayers. We unite underneath the command of the Great Commander! There is a strong bond in war.
2 Timothy 2:4 …that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Thank you for this word it is very strengthening in my current circumstances.