FRIENDSHIP.Sampel

Friendship is outward looking 

Jesus doesn’t have friends for the sake of it. In John 15:16 Jesus says he expects his friends to bear fruit: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last”. 

The purpose of friendship isn’t to sit with someone and gaze at our navels. 

The purpose of friendship isn’t to sit in an enclosed group and let no one else in. 

The purpose of friendship isn’t collecting friends so you can say you have the most. 

The purpose of friendship is to bear fruit for God’s kingdom—fruit that reflects the love Jesus has shown his friends. 

If two friends love one another, their love attracts others. Biblical friendship is an open circle that says the more the merrier; please come and join us. Biblical friendship doesn’t allow for cliques. Cliques are a group of inward-looking people who have said that this little group is our little group and no one else is welcome. This is the opposite of the model of friendship that Jesus gives us. 

Questions How can you use your friendships to build God’s kingdom? How can you be better at applying the gospel and speaking gospel truths in your friendships? 

Prayer Dear God, please help me to be outward looking in my friendships so that I can help to build your kingdom. Please give me boldness to love openly and be welcoming to all those you place in my life. Amen.