The Better Friendნიმუში

RADICAL LOVE

We as friends need to be ready to love, be ready to receive, and in return leave people better. We need to be ready to find joy in random encounters, in the friends who lift us up in our time of need, and in loving the world well.

First Corinthians 13:5 says that love holds “no record of wrongs.” Whether in your apartment complex, in your neighborhood, in your suburban town, or in your shiny city where no one talks to strangers, find ways to be radically loving. Find ways to hold no record of wrongs, and to make people better.

Wherever you are, I pray you become a better friend, willing to show up for your friends even when it is in­convenient. I pray you receive your friends’ love graciously and gratefully. I pray you leave friendship breakups and hurts well. But most importantly, when I think about you and me, I pray we leave others better. I pray our presence shows Christ’s joy and loyalty. When others encounter us, I pray they feel a warmth in our friendship that reflects Christ’s unconditional love.

We leave people better when we allow Christ to sanctify us daily, making us better through His power, healing, and love. Sanctification isn’t some fancy word we use to sound smart; it is a holy process that happens after we en­counter grace, and it continues as we walk with Christ. Sancti­fication is the process where we become clean and holy and change our actions because Christ is making us more like Him. Our thoughts become more like Christ’s, and our hearts and actions reflect His.

Each day that we walk with Christ, we become more sanctified. When we seek Christ, we know more of his love, a love that empowers us to love others radically yet trust wisely. A love that gives us discernment and patience. A love that helps us become better and helps us make others better. This love leads us to have “the same mindset as Christ Jesus” in our interactions with others (Philippians 2:5). It leads us to vibrant friendships. And these friendships help us reach our true pur­pose: to become more like Christ.

How would you describe what kind of friend you want to be? How would you describe the kind of friend you want to have? How do those dreams reflect God’s radical love?

We hope you were encourage by this reading plan. Learn more about THE BETTER FRIEND by Grace Valentine click here.