8th August 2021
BE FRIENDLY
David Abankwah
READ: 1 John 3:15-18
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
-Proverbs 17:17 | NKJV
I believe before King Solomon wrote Proverbs 17:17, his father told him about the friendship that existed between him and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18,19, 20). The bond
of friendship that existed between them is what we term today as ‘bosom friends.’ If it had been in this perverse world we have now, people would have said they were gays. But the rift that existed between the family of Jonathan the son of Saul, as he helped David to escape his father’s death plans, became a stone to kick one’s feet against. Saul had problems with his son Jonathan just because of how friendly he was towards David and the adversity Proverbs 17:17 talks about the family, started from then.
This confirms Micah 7:6 which reads: For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies are the members of his own household -Micah 7:6 | NIV. Jesus Christ also confirmed Micah’s words in Matthew 10:36 when he was delivering a sermon concerning whether He brought peace into this world or not. Even though He is the Prince of Peace, He came with the sword – God’s Word. This shows us the diverse adversities one can face in the family when one is a Christian. Nevertheless, one should still be friendly towards the members of his own household even though they are potential enemies (Matthew 5:44).
When you are someone who has the spirit or character of friendliness within you, you will be able to flow well with people who are your adversaries. You will not see people as your friends and others as your enemies. When it comes to the commandment of loving our enemies, many believers say, this is too hard to obey, and who can do this? As Jesus was friendly towards Judas knowing he would betray Him some time to come, we ought to be friendly not to those who love us, but those who hate us. Being friendly towards your enemy is a habit you have to cultivate because no one was born to love his enemies. As you practise, it will become your character.
It is not every friend you have around that loves you. In the ministry of Jesus Christ, when he was held in high esteem and many believed in the signs He did, He began to have many friends around Him, yet, He didn’t commit Himself onto them because He knew what was in people (John 2:25). If God should uncover the masks some friends are wearing, you will doubt, and hate everyone. Yet, He still entreats us to love and be friendly towards one another (Matthew 5:43-48). It is inevitable to experience that, not all people will love you as you befriend them. Some people will love you and others will hate you, yet choose to love them. Who know? Maybe they will change some day.
•| Prayer Diary |•
¹Lift up prayers for the loving heart towards all loved ones. ²Lift up prayers for the loving heart towards all your enemies. ³Lift up prayers for the strength to go through adversities that are associated with the love you need to have for your physical and spiritual families. ⁴Lift up prayers for the urge to be friendly towards the people you have to be friendly towards and the people you have to distance yourself from so you can workout your works of salvation well in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
“Those closer to us, are potential mediums for Satanic manipulations.”
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Jeremiah Chapters 12-14
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© 2021 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 